Matching a modified vee Crestliner Backwater 1760 CC 2011 against a pontoon Crestliner Grand Cayman 2185 2009 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.
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Crestliner Backwater 1760 CC 2011 measures 17,3 feet overall (2011), giving it roughly 15,3 additional feet of deck space compared to the Crestliner Grand Cayman 2185 2009 at 2,0 feet (2009). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Crestliner Backwater 1760 CC 2011 tips the scales at 789 lbs — 787 lbs more than the Crestliner Grand Cayman 2185 2009 at 2 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 115 hp, the Crestliner Grand Cayman 2185 2009 has a 40-hp advantage over the Crestliner Backwater 1760 CC 2011's 75-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Crestliner Grand Cayman 2185 2009 carries 25 gallons versus 2 gallons in the Crestliner Backwater 1760 CC 2011. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Crestliner Grand Cayman 2185 2009 is rated for 12 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 Grand Cayman 2185 2009 could be the deciding factor.
At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Crestliner Grand Cayman 2185 2009 comes in at 0 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.
Bottom line: Choose the Crestliner Grand Cayman 2185 2009 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 12 passengers and at 2,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Crestliner Backwater 1760 CC 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.