Matching a modified vee Crestliner Backwater 1760 CC 2011 against a deep vee Crestliner Fish Hawk 1650 DC 2013 means you're likely deciding between two genuinely different on-water experiences. Hull type shapes everything from ride quality and fuel burn to dock handling and resale trajectory.

On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Crestliner Backwater 1760 CC 2011 at 17,3 ft versus Crestliner Fish Hawk 1650 DC 2013 at 16,7 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Crestliner Backwater 1760 CC 2011 tips the scales at 789 lbs — 683 lbs more than the Crestliner Fish Hawk 1650 DC 2013 at 106 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 — 75 hp for the Crestliner Backwater 1760 CC 2011 and 90 hp for the Crestliner Fish Hawk 1650 DC 2013. 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. Both carry nearly identical fuel loads — 2 gal and 2 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Crestliner Fish Hawk 1650 DC 2013 is rated for 6 passengers, while the Crestliner Backwater 1760 CC 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 Fish Hawk 1650 DC 2013 could be the deciding factor.

At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Crestliner Fish Hawk 1650 DC 2013 comes in at 1 lbs per hp versus 11 lbs per hp for the Crestliner Backwater 1760 CC 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.