Both the Crestliner Backwater 1760 SC 2011 and the Crestliner Fish Hawk 1700 SC 2010 are modified-V designs, both built in aluminium, so the buying decision usually comes down to a handful of practical questions: how many people are you putting on the water, how far do you trailer, and what does your tow vehicle weigh?
On paper these two are close siblings in the size department - Crestliner Backwater 1760 SC 2011 at 17,3 ft versus Crestliner Fish Hawk 1700 SC 2010 at 17,2 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Crestliner Fish Hawk 1700 SC 2010 tips the scales at 1 100 lbs - 311 lbs less than the Crestliner Backwater 1760 SC 2011 at 789 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 Fish Hawk 1700 SC 2010 has a 40-hp advantage over the Crestliner Backwater 1760 SC 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 Fish Hawk 1700 SC 2010 carries 30 gallons versus 20 gallons in the Crestliner Backwater 1760 SC 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 Fish Hawk 1700 SC 2010 is rated for 6 passengers, while the Crestliner Backwater 1760 SC 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 1700 SC 2010 could be the deciding factor.
At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Crestliner Fish Hawk 1700 SC 2010 comes in at 10 lbs per hp versus 11 lbs per hp for the Crestliner Backwater 1760 SC 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 Fish Hawk 1700 SC 2010 if your priority is putting more people on the water - it handles 6 passengers and at 17,2 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Crestliner Backwater 1760 SC 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.