Matching a pontoon Crestliner Batata Bay 1685 2009 against a modified vee Crestliner Jons - CR 1436 2009 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 Batata Bay 1685 2009 at 17,0 ft versus Crestliner Jons - CR 1436 2009 at 14,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Crestliner Batata Bay 1685 2009 tips the scales at 1 575 lbs — 1 430 lbs more than the Crestliner Jons - CR 1436 2009 at 145 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 50 hp, the Crestliner Batata Bay 1685 2009 has a 30-hp advantage over the Crestliner Jons - CR 1436 2009's 20-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 Batata Bay 1685 2009 is rated for 7 passengers, while the Crestliner Jons - CR 1436 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 Batata Bay 1685 2009 could be the deciding factor.
At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Crestliner Jons - CR 1436 2009 comes in at 7 lbs per hp versus 32 lbs per hp for the Crestliner Batata Bay 1685 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 Batata Bay 1685 2009 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 Jons - CR 1436 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.