The Crestliner C 1752 V 2004 vs Crestliner Retriever Jon 1860 2012 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.
Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling - 50 hp for the Crestliner C 1752 V 2004 and 60 hp for the Crestliner Retriever Jon 1860 2012. 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 Retriever Jon 1860 2012 is rated for 6 passengers, while the Crestliner C 1752 V 2004 caps at 5. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Crestliner Retriever Jon 1860 2012 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Crestliner Retriever Jon 1860 2012 if your priority is putting more people on the water - it handles 6 passengers and at 18,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Crestliner C 1752 V 2004 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 5 that costs less to run day-to-day.