Crestliner C 1754 VDS 2004 vs Crestliner Retriever 1546 DS 2012 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Crestliner C 1754 VDS 2004 or the Crestliner Retriever 1546 DS 2012?

For trailering, the Crestliner Retriever 1546 DS 2012 has the edge at 5 lbs dry weight versus 725 lbs for the Crestliner C 1754 VDS 2004. Add a motor (typically 300–500 lbs for an outboard in this class), gear, and a partial fuel load and the difference grows. Lighter is friendlier on smaller tow vehicles and on fuel economy while hauling.

Q: Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Crestliner Retriever 1546 DS 2012 is rated to a maximum of 40 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Crestliner C 1754 VDS 2004 tops out at 7 hp. Keep in mind that maximum ratings are just that — matching the motor to the actual load and usage pattern usually matters more than chasing the ceiling.

Q: How many people can each boat hold?

The Crestliner C 1754 VDS 2004 is Coast Guard rated for 4 passengers, while the Crestliner Retriever 1546 DS 2012 is certified for 3. Note that legal capacity and comfortable capacity aren't always the same thing — on a full day out, most experienced boaters aim for about 80% of the rated number to keep things comfortable.

Q: Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Crestliner C 1754 VDS 2004 measures 75" wide, compared to 7" for the Crestliner Retriever 1546 DS 2012. The US standard-width towing limit is 8’6" (102") in most states — anything over that may need a wide-load permit. Confirm your specific route requirements with each state's DOT.

Q: Are the Crestliner C 1754 VDS 2004 and Crestliner Retriever 1546 DS 2012 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Crestliner C 1754 VDS 2004 and the Crestliner Retriever 1546 DS 2012 are built by Crestliner. That means shared dealer networks, common parts availability, and consistent build quality across the line. The choice between them is essentially a question of how much boat you need, not which brand you trust.

Boat Comparison

Crestliner C 1754 VDS 2004 vs Crestliner Retriever 1546 DS 2012

Crestliner

Crestliner C 1754 VDS 2004

2004

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Crestliner

Crestliner Retriever 1546 DS 2012

2012

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Crestliner C 1754 VDS 2004 vs Crestliner Retriever 1546 DS 2012 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Crestliner C 1754 VDS 2004 vs Crestliner Retriever 1546 DS 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.

The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 40 hp, the Crestliner Retriever 1546 DS 2012 has a 33-hp advantage over the Crestliner C 1754 VDS 2004's 7-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 C 1754 VDS 2004 is rated for 4 passengers, while the Crestliner Retriever 1546 DS 2012 caps at 3. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Crestliner C 1754 VDS 2004 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Crestliner C 1754 VDS 2004 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 4 passengers and at 0,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Crestliner Retriever 1546 DS 2012 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 3 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeCrestliner

ModelC 1754 VDS

ModelRetriever 1546 DS

Model Year2004

Model Year2012

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam75 in

Beam70 in. (178 cm)

Beam - Meters1.91

Beam - Meters1.78

Beam - Inches75

Beam - Inches7

Weight - Detail725 lbs

Weight - Detail500 lbs. (227 kg)

Weight - kg328.85

Weight - kg226.8

Weight - lbs.725

Weight - lbs.5

Height - Detail21 in

Height - Detailnot available

Height - Meters0.53

Height - Metersnot available

Height - Inches21

Height - Inchesnot available

Height [transom]20 in

Height [transom]20 in. (51 cm)

Length overall - Detail17 ft

Length overall - Detail15 ft. (4.6 m)

Length overall - Meters5.18

Length overall - Meters4.57

Length overall - Inches204

Length overall - Inches18

Deadrisenot available

Deadrise3.5°

Depth - Detailnot available

Depth - DetailSide: 21 in. (53 cm)

Depth - Centimetersnot available

Depth - Centimeters53.34

Depth - Inchesnot available

Depth - Inches21

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Feet15

Body / Hull

Hull materialAluminum

Hull thicknessnot available

Hull thickness0.080 in

Hull typenot available

Hull typeModified Vee

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail21 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Liters79.49

Fuel tank capacity - Litersnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Gal21

Fuel tank capacity - Galnot available

Engine max7

Engine max40 hp

Fuel typenot available

Fuel typeGas

Drive typenot available

Drive typeOutboard

Operational Info

Maximum capacity1045 lbs

Maximum capacity875 lbs. (397 kg)

Maximum people4 Persons

Maximum people3

Crestliner C 1754 VDS 2004 vs Crestliner Retriever 1546 DS 2012 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Crestliner C 1754 VDS 2004 or the Crestliner Retriever 1546 DS 2012?

For trailering, the Crestliner Retriever 1546 DS 2012 has the edge at 5 lbs dry weight versus 725 lbs for the Crestliner C 1754 VDS 2004. Add a motor (typically 300–500 lbs for an outboard in this class), gear, and a partial fuel load and the difference grows. Lighter is friendlier on smaller tow vehicles and on fuel economy while hauling.

Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Crestliner Retriever 1546 DS 2012 is rated to a maximum of 40 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Crestliner C 1754 VDS 2004 tops out at 7 hp. Keep in mind that maximum ratings are just that — matching the motor to the actual load and usage pattern usually matters more than chasing the ceiling.

How many people can each boat hold?

The Crestliner C 1754 VDS 2004 is Coast Guard rated for 4 passengers, while the Crestliner Retriever 1546 DS 2012 is certified for 3. Note that legal capacity and comfortable capacity aren't always the same thing — on a full day out, most experienced boaters aim for about 80% of the rated number to keep things comfortable.

Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Crestliner C 1754 VDS 2004 measures 75" wide, compared to 7" for the Crestliner Retriever 1546 DS 2012. The US standard-width towing limit is 8’6" (102") in most states — anything over that may need a wide-load permit. Confirm your specific route requirements with each state's DOT.

Are the Crestliner C 1754 VDS 2004 and Crestliner Retriever 1546 DS 2012 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Crestliner C 1754 VDS 2004 and the Crestliner Retriever 1546 DS 2012 are built by Crestliner. That means shared dealer networks, common parts availability, and consistent build quality across the line. The choice between them is essentially a question of how much boat you need, not which brand you trust.

← Crestliner C 1754 VDS 2004 full specs ← Crestliner Retriever 1546 DS 2012 full specs