Crestliner Backwater Series 1655 Tiller 2009 vs Crestliner CMV 1850 2004 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Crestliner Backwater Series 1655 Tiller 2009 or the Crestliner CMV 1850 2004?

For trailering, the Crestliner CMV 1850 2004 has the edge at 13 lbs dry weight versus 825 lbs for the Crestliner Backwater Series 1655 Tiller 2009. 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 Series 1655 Tiller 2009 is rated to a maximum of 50 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Crestliner CMV 1850 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 Series 1655 Tiller 2009 is Coast Guard rated for 3 passengers, while the Crestliner CMV 1850 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 CMV 1850 2004 measures 95" wide, compared to 76" for the Crestliner Backwater Series 1655 Tiller 2009. 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: Are the Crestliner Backwater Series 1655 Tiller 2009 and Crestliner CMV 1850 2004 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Crestliner Backwater Series 1655 Tiller 2009 and the Crestliner CMV 1850 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 Series 1655 Tiller 2009 vs Crestliner CMV 1850 2004

Crestliner

Crestliner Backwater Series 1655 Tiller 2009

2009

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Crestliner

Crestliner CMV 1850 2004

2004

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Crestliner Backwater Series 1655 Tiller 2009 vs Crestliner CMV 1850 2004 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Crestliner Backwater Series 1655 Tiller 2009 vs Crestliner CMV 1850 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 50 hp, the Crestliner Backwater Series 1655 Tiller 2009 has a 35-hp advantage over the Crestliner CMV 1850 2004's 15-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Crestliner CMV 1850 2004 is rated for 4 passengers, while the Crestliner Backwater Series 1655 Tiller 2009 caps at 3. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Crestliner CMV 1850 2004 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Crestliner CMV 1850 2004 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 4 passengers and at 0,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Crestliner Backwater Series 1655 Tiller 2009 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 3 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeCrestliner

ModelBackwater Series 1655 Tiller

ModelCMV 185

Model Year2009

Model Year2004

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam76 in. (192 cm)

Beam95 in

Beam - Meters1.93

Beam - Meters2.41

Beam - Inches76

Beam - Inches95

Deadrise8℃

Deadrisenot available

Weight - Detail825 lbs. (367 kg) hull

Weight - Detail1300 lbs

Weight - kg374.21

Weight - kg589.67

Weight - lbs.825

Weight - lbs.13

Width [transom] - Detail55 in. (140 cm)

Width [transom] - Detailnot available

Height - Detail23 in. (58 cm)

Height - Detail33 in

Height - Meters0.58

Height - Meters0.84

Height - Inches23

Height - Inches33

Height [transom]20 in. (51 cm)

Height [transom]not available

Length - Meters5

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Feet16

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Inches2

Length - Inchesnot available

Length overall - Detail16 ft. 2 in. (5.0 m)

Length overall - Detail18 ft. 1 in

Length overall - Meters4.93

Length overall - Meters5.51

Length overall - Inches194

Length overall - Inches217

Body / Hull

Hull materialAluminum

Hull materialnot available

Hull thickness0.100 in

Hull thicknessnot available

Hull typeModified Vee

Hull typenot available

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - DetailPortable

Fuel tank capacity - Detail41 gal

Fuel typeGas

Fuel typenot available

Drive typeOutboard

Drive typenot available

Engine max50 hp

Engine max15

Fuel tank capacity - Litersnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Liters155.2

Fuel tank capacity - Galnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Gal41

Operational Info

Maximum capacity900 lbs. (408 kg)

Maximum capacity1360 lbs

Maximum people3

Maximum people4 Persons

Crestliner Backwater Series 1655 Tiller 2009 vs Crestliner CMV 1850 2004 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Crestliner Backwater Series 1655 Tiller 2009 or the Crestliner CMV 1850 2004?

For trailering, the Crestliner CMV 1850 2004 has the edge at 13 lbs dry weight versus 825 lbs for the Crestliner Backwater Series 1655 Tiller 2009. 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 Series 1655 Tiller 2009 is rated to a maximum of 50 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Crestliner CMV 1850 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 Series 1655 Tiller 2009 is Coast Guard rated for 3 passengers, while the Crestliner CMV 1850 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 CMV 1850 2004 measures 95" wide, compared to 76" for the Crestliner Backwater Series 1655 Tiller 2009. 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.

Are the Crestliner Backwater Series 1655 Tiller 2009 and Crestliner CMV 1850 2004 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Crestliner Backwater Series 1655 Tiller 2009 and the Crestliner CMV 1850 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 Series 1655 Tiller 2009 full specs ← Crestliner CMV 1850 2004 full specs