The Crestliner Batata Bay 1685 2009 is a pontoon design and the Crestliner Retriever Jon 1756 2013 is a modified-V design, so you're likely deciding between two noticeably 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 Jon 1756 2013 at 17,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Crestliner Batata Bay 1685 2009 tips the scales at 1 575 lbs - 1 030 lbs more than the Crestliner Retriever Jon 1756 2013 at 545 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 2009 and 50 hp for the Crestliner Retriever Jon 1756 2013. 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.

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 Jon 1756 2013 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 2009 could be the deciding factor.

At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Crestliner Retriever Jon 1756 2013 comes in at 11 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.