Matching a pontoon Crestliner Batata Bay 1685 2009 against a modified vee Crestliner Retriever 1860 SC 2013 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 Retriever 1860 SC 2013 at 18,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Crestliner Batata Bay 1685 2009 tips the scales at 1 575 lbs — 1 478 lbs more than the Crestliner Retriever 1860 SC 2013 at 97 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 Retriever 1860 SC 2013 has a 40-hp advantage over the Crestliner Batata Bay 1685 2009's 50-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Crestliner Batata Bay 1685 2009 carries 25 gallons versus 19 gallons in the Crestliner Retriever 1860 SC 2013. 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 2009 is rated for 7 passengers, while the Crestliner Retriever 1860 SC 2013 caps at 6. 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 Retriever 1860 SC 2013 comes in at 1 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 Retriever 1860 SC 2013 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 6 that costs less to run day-to-day.