The Crestliner Backwater 1652 Tiller 2011 vs Crestliner LSi 2885 Sterndrive 2007 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.
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Crestliner LSi 2885 Sterndrive 2007 measures 27,0 feet overall (2007), giving it roughly 11,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Crestliner Backwater 1652 Tiller 2011 at 16,0 feet (2011). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Crestliner Backwater 1652 Tiller 2011 tips the scales at 654 lbs — 279 lbs more than the Crestliner LSi 2885 Sterndrive 2007 at 375 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.
The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 300 hp, the Crestliner LSi 2885 Sterndrive 2007 has a 250-hp advantage over the Crestliner Backwater 1652 Tiller 2011's 50-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 LSi 2885 Sterndrive 2007 is rated for 16 passengers, while the Crestliner Backwater 1652 Tiller 2011 caps at 4. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Crestliner LSi 2885 Sterndrive 2007 could be the deciding factor.
At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Crestliner LSi 2885 Sterndrive 2007 comes in at 1 lbs per hp versus 13 lbs per hp for the Crestliner Backwater 1652 Tiller 2011. 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.
The Crestliner LSi 2885 Sterndrive 2007 is an inflatable design — lighter, easier to store, and quicker to launch from a beach or dock without a slipway. The Crestliner Backwater 1652 Tiller 2011 is a rigid hull, which typically offers a more confident ride in chop and easier maintenance over the long term.
Bottom line: Choose the Crestliner LSi 2885 Sterndrive 2007 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 16 passengers and at 27,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Crestliner Backwater 1652 Tiller 2011 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 4 that costs less to run day-to-day.