Crestliner Backwater 1860 SC 2011 vs Crestliner CXP 185 2004 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Crestliner Backwater 1860 SC 2011 or the Crestliner CXP 185 2004?

For trailering, the Crestliner Backwater 1860 SC 2011 has the edge at 88 lbs dry weight versus 1 235 lbs for the Crestliner CXP 185 2004. Add a motor (typically 300–500 lbs for an outboard in this class), gear, and a partial fuel load and the difference grows. Lighter is friendlier on smaller tow vehicles and on fuel economy while hauling.

Q: Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Crestliner Backwater 1860 SC 2011 is rated to a maximum of 115 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Crestliner CXP 185 2004 tops out at 15 hp. Keep in mind that maximum ratings are just that — matching the motor to the actual load and usage pattern usually matters more than chasing the ceiling.

Q: How many people can each boat hold?

The Crestliner Backwater 1860 SC 2011 is Coast Guard rated for 4 passengers, while the Crestliner CXP 185 2004 is certified for 4. Note that legal capacity and comfortable capacity aren't always the same thing — on a full day out, most experienced boaters aim for about 80% of the rated number to keep things comfortable.

Q: Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Crestliner CXP 185 2004 measures 91" wide, compared to 86" for the Crestliner Backwater 1860 SC 2011. The US standard-width towing limit is 8’6" (102") in most states — anything over that may need a wide-load permit. Confirm your specific route requirements with each state's DOT.

Q: Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Crestliner Backwater 1860 SC 2011 or the Crestliner CXP 185 2004?

The Crestliner CXP 185 2004 has the bigger tank at 41 gallons, versus 2 gallons on the Crestliner Backwater 1860 SC 2011. That 39-gallon difference translates to roughly 117–195 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Crestliner Backwater 1860 SC 2011 and Crestliner CXP 185 2004 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Crestliner Backwater 1860 SC 2011 and the Crestliner CXP 185 2004 are built by Crestliner. That means shared dealer networks, common parts availability, and consistent build quality across the line. The choice between them is essentially a question of how much boat you need, not which brand you trust.

Boat Comparison

Crestliner Backwater 1860 SC 2011 vs Crestliner CXP 185 2004

Crestliner

Crestliner Backwater 1860 SC 2011

2011

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Crestliner

Crestliner CXP 185 2004

2004

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Crestliner Backwater 1860 SC 2011 vs Crestliner CXP 185 2004 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Crestliner Backwater 1860 SC 2011 vs Crestliner CXP 185 2004 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.

The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 115 hp, the Crestliner Backwater 1860 SC 2011 has a 100-hp advantage over the Crestliner CXP 185 2004's 15-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 CXP 185 2004 carries 41 gallons versus 2 gallons in the Crestliner Backwater 1860 SC 2011. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.

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.

Bottom line: Performance buyers should lean toward the Crestliner Backwater 1860 SC 2011 and its 115-hp ceiling. If fuel economy and quieter running matter more than top-end speed, the Crestliner CXP 185 2004 with its 15-hp rating is the more economical daily driver.

General Boat Info

MakeCrestliner

ModelBackwater 1860 SC

ModelCXP 185

Model Year2011

Model Year2004

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam85.5 in. (217 cm)

Beam91 in

Beam - Meters2.18

Beam - Meters2.31

Beam - Inches85.5

Beam - Inches91

Deadrise8°

Deadrisenot available

Depth - DetailSide: 19.5 in. (50 cm)

Depth - Detailnot available

Depth - Centimeters50.8

Depth - Centimetersnot available

Depth - Inches19.5

Depth - Inchesnot available

Weight - Detail880 lbs. (399 kg)

Weight - Detail1235 lbs

Weight - kg399.16

Weight - kg560.19

Weight - lbs.88

Weight - lbs.1235

Height [transom]20 in. (51 cm)

Height [transom]not available

Length - Feet18.42

Length - Feetnot available

Length overall - Detail18 ft. 5 in. (5.6 m)

Length overall - Detail18 ft

Length overall - Meters5.61

Length overall - Meters5.49

Length overall - Inches221

Length overall - Inches216

Body / Hull

Hull materialAluminum

Hull materialnot available

Hull thickness0.10 in

Hull thicknessnot available

Hull typeModified Vee

Hull typenot available

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail20 gal. (76 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail41 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Liters75.71

Fuel tank capacity - Liters155.2

Fuel tank capacity - Gal2

Fuel tank capacity - Gal41

Fuel typeGas

Fuel typenot available

Drive typeOutboard

Drive typenot available

Engine max115 hp

Engine max15

Operational Info

Maximum capacity1,100 lbs. (499 kg)

Maximum capacity1300 lbs

Maximum people4

Maximum people4 Persons

Crestliner Backwater 1860 SC 2011 vs Crestliner CXP 185 2004 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Crestliner Backwater 1860 SC 2011 or the Crestliner CXP 185 2004?

For trailering, the Crestliner Backwater 1860 SC 2011 has the edge at 88 lbs dry weight versus 1 235 lbs for the Crestliner CXP 185 2004. Add a motor (typically 300–500 lbs for an outboard in this class), gear, and a partial fuel load and the difference grows. Lighter is friendlier on smaller tow vehicles and on fuel economy while hauling.

Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Crestliner Backwater 1860 SC 2011 is rated to a maximum of 115 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Crestliner CXP 185 2004 tops out at 15 hp. Keep in mind that maximum ratings are just that — matching the motor to the actual load and usage pattern usually matters more than chasing the ceiling.

How many people can each boat hold?

The Crestliner Backwater 1860 SC 2011 is Coast Guard rated for 4 passengers, while the Crestliner CXP 185 2004 is certified for 4. Note that legal capacity and comfortable capacity aren't always the same thing — on a full day out, most experienced boaters aim for about 80% of the rated number to keep things comfortable.

Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Crestliner CXP 185 2004 measures 91" wide, compared to 86" for the Crestliner Backwater 1860 SC 2011. The US standard-width towing limit is 8’6" (102") in most states — anything over that may need a wide-load permit. Confirm your specific route requirements with each state's DOT.

Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Crestliner Backwater 1860 SC 2011 or the Crestliner CXP 185 2004?

The Crestliner CXP 185 2004 has the bigger tank at 41 gallons, versus 2 gallons on the Crestliner Backwater 1860 SC 2011. That 39-gallon difference translates to roughly 117–195 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Crestliner Backwater 1860 SC 2011 and Crestliner CXP 185 2004 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Crestliner Backwater 1860 SC 2011 and the Crestliner CXP 185 2004 are built by Crestliner. That means shared dealer networks, common parts availability, and consistent build quality across the line. The choice between them is essentially a question of how much boat you need, not which brand you trust.

← Crestliner Backwater 1860 SC 2011 full specs ← Crestliner CXP 185 2004 full specs