Crestliner Ambush 18 2013 vs Crestliner Sportsman 16 2004 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer - the Crestliner Ambush 18 2013 or the Crestliner Sportsman 16 2004?

For trailering, the Crestliner Sportsman 16 2004 has the edge at 430 lbs dry weight versus 1 009 lbs for the Crestliner Ambush 18 2013. Add a motor (typically 300–500 lbs for an outboard in this class), gear, and a partial fuel load and the difference grows. Lighter is friendlier on smaller tow vehicles and on fuel economy while hauling.

Q: Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Crestliner Ambush 18 2013 is rated to a maximum of 90 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Crestliner Sportsman 16 2004 tops out at 40 hp. Keep in mind that maximum ratings are just that - matching the motor to the actual load and usage pattern usually matters more than chasing the ceiling.

Q: How many people can each boat hold?

The Crestliner Ambush 18 2013 is Coast Guard rated for 4 passengers, while the Crestliner Sportsman 16 2004 is certified for 6. Note that legal capacity and comfortable capacity aren't always the same thing - on a full day out, most experienced boaters aim for about 80% of the rated number to keep things comfortable.

Q: Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Crestliner Ambush 18 2013 measures 79" wide, compared to 75" for the Crestliner Sportsman 16 2004. The US standard-width towing limit is 8’6" (102") in most states - anything over that may need a wide-load permit. Confirm your specific route requirements with each state's DOT.

Q: Are the Crestliner Ambush 18 2013 and Crestliner Sportsman 16 2004 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the Crestliner Ambush 18 2013 and the Crestliner Sportsman 16 2004 are built by Crestliner. That means shared dealer networks, common parts availability, and consistent build quality across the line. The choice between them is essentially a question of how much boat you need, not which brand you trust.

Boat Comparison

Crestliner Ambush 18 2013 vs Crestliner Sportsman 16 2004

Crestliner

Crestliner Ambush 18 2013

2013

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Crestliner

Crestliner Sportsman 16 2004

2004

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Crestliner Ambush 18 2013 vs Crestliner Sportsman 16 2004: Same Brand, Different Boat

The Crestliner Ambush 18 2013 vs Crestliner Sportsman 16 2004 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.

The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 90 hp, the Crestliner Ambush 18 2013 has a 50-hp advantage over the Crestliner Sportsman 16 2004's 40-hp ceiling - enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Crestliner Sportsman 16 2004 is rated for 6 passengers, while the Crestliner Ambush 18 2013 caps at 4. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Crestliner Sportsman 16 2004 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Crestliner Sportsman 16 2004 if your priority is putting more people on the water - it handles 6 passengers and at 0,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Crestliner Ambush 18 2013 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 4 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeCrestliner

ModelAmbush 18

ModelSportsman 16

Model Year2013

Model Year2004

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam79 in. (201 cm)

Beam75 in.

Beam - Meters2.01

Beam - Meters1.91

Beam - Inches79

Beam - Inches75

Deadrise7°

Deadrisenot available

Depth - DetailSide: 22 in. (56 cm)

Depth - Detailnot available

Depth - Centimeters55.88

Depth - Centimetersnot available

Depth - Inches22

Depth - Inchesnot available

Weight - Detail1,009 lbs. (452 kg)

Weight - Detail430 lbs.

Weight - kg457.67

Weight - kg195.04

Weight - lbs.1009

Weight - lbs.430

Height [transom]20 in. (51 cm)

Height [transom]20 in.

Length - Feet18

Length - Feetnot available

Length overall - Detail18 ft. (5.5 m)

Length overall - Detail16 ft. 7 in.

Length overall - Meters5.49

Length overall - Meters5.05

Length overall - Inches216

Length overall - Inches199

Height - Detailnot available

Height - Detail28.5 in.

Height - Metersnot available

Height - Meters0.74

Height - Inchesnot available

Height - Inches28.5

Body / Hull

Hull materialAluminum

Hull materialnot available

Hull thickness0.100 in.

Hull thicknessnot available

Hull typeModified Vee

Hull typenot available

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail20 gal. (76 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Liters75.71

Fuel tank capacity - Litersnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Gal20

Fuel tank capacity - Galnot available

Fuel typeGas

Fuel typenot available

Drive typeOutboard

Drive typenot available

Engine max90 hp

Engine max40

Operational Info

Maximum capacity1,202 lbs. (545 kg)

Maximum capacity1300 lbs.

Maximum people4

Maximum people6 Persons

Crestliner Ambush 18 2013 vs Crestliner Sportsman 16 2004 - Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer - the Crestliner Ambush 18 2013 or the Crestliner Sportsman 16 2004?

For trailering, the Crestliner Sportsman 16 2004 has the edge at 430 lbs dry weight versus 1 009 lbs for the Crestliner Ambush 18 2013. Add a motor (typically 300–500 lbs for an outboard in this class), gear, and a partial fuel load and the difference grows. Lighter is friendlier on smaller tow vehicles and on fuel economy while hauling.

Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Crestliner Ambush 18 2013 is rated to a maximum of 90 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Crestliner Sportsman 16 2004 tops out at 40 hp. Keep in mind that maximum ratings are just that - matching the motor to the actual load and usage pattern usually matters more than chasing the ceiling.

How many people can each boat hold?

The Crestliner Ambush 18 2013 is Coast Guard rated for 4 passengers, while the Crestliner Sportsman 16 2004 is certified for 6. Note that legal capacity and comfortable capacity aren't always the same thing - on a full day out, most experienced boaters aim for about 80% of the rated number to keep things comfortable.

Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Crestliner Ambush 18 2013 measures 79" wide, compared to 75" for the Crestliner Sportsman 16 2004. The US standard-width towing limit is 8’6" (102") in most states - anything over that may need a wide-load permit. Confirm your specific route requirements with each state's DOT.

Are the Crestliner Ambush 18 2013 and Crestliner Sportsman 16 2004 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the Crestliner Ambush 18 2013 and the Crestliner Sportsman 16 2004 are built by Crestliner. That means shared dealer networks, common parts availability, and consistent build quality across the line. The choice between them is essentially a question of how much boat you need, not which brand you trust.

← Crestliner Ambush 18 2013 full specs ← Crestliner Sportsman 16 2004 full specs