When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Crestliner Backwater Series 1870 SC 2009 and the Crestliner Sportsman 14 SS SC 2007 are modified vee designs with aluminum construction — 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?
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Crestliner Backwater Series 1870 SC 2009 measures 18,0 feet overall (2009), giving it roughly 4,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Crestliner Sportsman 14 SS SC 2007 at 14,0 feet (2007). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Crestliner Backwater Series 1870 SC 2009 tips the scales at 1 175 lbs — 1 123 lbs more than the Crestliner Sportsman 14 SS SC 2007 at 52 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 90 hp, the Crestliner Backwater Series 1870 SC 2009 has a 55-hp advantage over the Crestliner Sportsman 14 SS SC 2007's 35-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 Backwater Series 1870 SC 2009 is rated for 5 passengers, while the Crestliner Sportsman 14 SS SC 2007 caps at 4. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Crestliner Backwater Series 1870 SC 2009 could be the deciding factor.
At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Crestliner Sportsman 14 SS SC 2007 comes in at 2 lbs per hp versus 13 lbs per hp for the Crestliner Backwater Series 1870 SC 2009. 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 Backwater Series 1870 SC 2009 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 5 passengers and at 18,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Crestliner Sportsman 14 SS SC 2007 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 4 that costs less to run day-to-day.