The Crestliner C 1756 VS 2005 vs Crestliner Fish Hawk 1850 DC 2013 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.
On paper these two are close siblings in the size department - Crestliner C 1756 VS 2005 at 17,0 ft versus Crestliner Fish Hawk 1850 DC 2013 at 18,5 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Crestliner Fish Hawk 1850 DC 2013 tips the scales at 1 250 lbs - 500 lbs less than the Crestliner C 1756 VS 2005 at 750 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 150 hp, the Crestliner Fish Hawk 1850 DC 2013 has a 70-hp advantage over the Crestliner C 1756 VS 2005's 80-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 Fish Hawk 1850 DC 2013 is rated for 6 passengers, while the Crestliner C 1756 VS 2005 caps at 4. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Crestliner Fish Hawk 1850 DC 2013 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Crestliner Fish Hawk 1850 DC 2013 if your priority is putting more people on the water - it handles 6 passengers and at 18,5 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Crestliner C 1756 VS 2005 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 4 that costs less to run day-to-day.