The Crestliner Batata Bay 1685 2008 vs Crestliner Fish Hawk 1650 Tiller 2006 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.
On paper these two are close siblings in the size department - Crestliner Batata Bay 1685 2008 at 17,0 ft versus Crestliner Fish Hawk 1650 Tiller 2006 at 16,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Crestliner Batata Bay 1685 2008 tips the scales at 1 575 lbs - 695 lbs more than the Crestliner Fish Hawk 1650 Tiller 2006 at 880 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.
Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling - 50 hp for the Crestliner Batata Bay 1685 2008 and 60 hp for the Crestliner Fish Hawk 1650 Tiller 2006. Real-world performance will come down more to which motor is actually bolted on, its load at the time, and whether it's a 4-stroke or 2-stroke setup. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Crestliner Batata Bay 1685 2008 carries 25 gallons versus 18 gallons in the Crestliner Fish Hawk 1650 Tiller 2006. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Crestliner Batata Bay 1685 2008 is rated for 7 passengers, while the Crestliner Fish Hawk 1650 Tiller 2006 caps at 5. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Crestliner Batata Bay 1685 2008 could be the deciding factor.
At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Crestliner Fish Hawk 1650 Tiller 2006 comes in at 15 lbs per hp versus 32 lbs per hp for the Crestliner Batata Bay 1685 2008. 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 Batata Bay 1685 2008 if your priority is putting more people on the water - it handles 7 passengers and at 17,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Crestliner Fish Hawk 1650 Tiller 2006 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 5 that costs less to run day-to-day.