Matching a modified vee Crestliner Backwater Series 1870 Tiller 2009 against a deep vee Crestliner Super Hawk 1700 2012 means you're likely deciding between two genuinely 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 Series 1870 Tiller 2009 at 18,0 ft versus Crestliner Super Hawk 1700 2012 at 17,1 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Crestliner Backwater Series 1870 Tiller 2009 tips the scales at 1 115 lbs — 1 102 lbs more than the Crestliner Super Hawk 1700 2012 at 13 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 140 hp, the Crestliner Super Hawk 1700 2012 has a 65-hp advantage over the Crestliner Backwater Series 1870 Tiller 2009's 75-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 Super Hawk 1700 2012 is rated for 6 passengers, while the Crestliner Backwater Series 1870 Tiller 2009 caps at 5. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Crestliner Super Hawk 1700 2012 could be the deciding factor.

At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Crestliner Super Hawk 1700 2012 comes in at 0 lbs per hp versus 15 lbs per hp for the Crestliner Backwater Series 1870 Tiller 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.