When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Crestliner Backwater Series 1870 Tiller 2009 and the Crestliner Super Hawk 1800 2010 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?

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 1800 2010 at 18,2 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Crestliner Backwater Series 1870 Tiller 2009 tips the scales at 1 115 lbs — 968 lbs more than the Crestliner Super Hawk 1800 2010 at 147 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 175 hp, the Crestliner Super Hawk 1800 2010 has a 100-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 1800 2010 is rated for 7 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 1800 2010 could be the deciding factor.