The Crestliner Ambush 18 2013 vs Crestliner CX 1650 2005 comparison sits squarely in the category of decisions where specs alone won't tell the whole story: intended use, storage, and long-term ownership costs all factor in.
On paper these two are close siblings in the size department - Crestliner Ambush 18 2013 at 18,0 ft versus Crestliner CX 1650 2005 at 16,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Crestliner Ambush 18 2013 tips the scales at 1 009 lbs - 309 lbs more than the Crestliner CX 1650 2005 at 700 lbs. That difference is meaningful if you're working within a half-ton or three-quarter-ton truck's tow rating, especially once you factor in a motor, gear, and fuel.
Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling - 90 hp for the Crestliner Ambush 18 2013 and 70 hp for the Crestliner CX 1650 2005. Real-world performance will come down more to which motor is actually bolted on, its load at the time, and whether it's a 4-stroke or 2-stroke setup.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Crestliner Ambush 18 2013 is rated for 4 passengers, while the Crestliner CX 1650 2005 caps at 3. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Crestliner Ambush 18 2013 could be the deciding factor.
At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Crestliner CX 1650 2005 comes in at 10 lbs per hp versus 11 lbs per hp for the Crestliner Ambush 18 2013. The lower the ratio the more explosive the acceleration - meaningful on a short RIB where bursts of speed, quick planing, and agility in surf or tight waterways define the experience.
Bottom line: Choose the Crestliner Ambush 18 2013 if your priority is putting more people on the water - it handles 4 passengers and at 18,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Crestliner CX 1650 2005 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 3 that costs less to run day-to-day.