The Crestliner Backwater 1760 Tiller 2011 is a modified-V design and the Crestliner CR 1648M 2013 is a flat-bottom design, so you're likely deciding between two noticeably 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 Tiller 2011 at 17,3 ft versus Crestliner CR 1648M 2013 at 15,8 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Crestliner Backwater 1760 Tiller 2011 tips the scales at 739 lbs - 464 lbs more than the Crestliner CR 1648M 2013 at 275 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 60 hp, the Crestliner Backwater 1760 Tiller 2011 has a 25-hp advantage over the Crestliner CR 1648M 2013's 35-hp ceiling - enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load.

Both boats are rated for 4 passengers - a good fit for a family of four or five plus guests. Comfort at capacity is another matter; the longer hull typically means more seat options and better weight distribution.

At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Crestliner CR 1648M 2013 comes in at 8 lbs per hp versus 12 lbs per hp for the Crestliner Backwater 1760 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.