Crestliner C 1860 VDS 2004 vs Crestliner Storm 17 2013 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Crestliner C 1860 VDS 2004 or the Crestliner Storm 17 2013?

For trailering, the Crestliner Storm 17 2013 has the edge at 66 lbs dry weight versus 77 lbs for the Crestliner C 1860 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 Storm 17 2013 is rated to a maximum of 50 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Crestliner C 1860 VDS 2004 tops out at 8 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 1860 VDS 2004 is Coast Guard rated for 6 passengers, while the Crestliner Storm 17 2013 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 1860 VDS 2004 measures 81" wide, compared to 75" for the Crestliner Storm 17 2013. 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: Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Crestliner C 1860 VDS 2004 or the Crestliner Storm 17 2013?

The Crestliner C 1860 VDS 2004 has the bigger tank at 21 gallons, versus 11 gallons on the Crestliner Storm 17 2013. That 10-gallon difference translates to roughly 30–50 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Crestliner C 1860 VDS 2004 and Crestliner Storm 17 2013 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Crestliner C 1860 VDS 2004 and the Crestliner Storm 17 2013 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 1860 VDS 2004 vs Crestliner Storm 17 2013

Crestliner

Crestliner C 1860 VDS 2004

2004

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Crestliner

Crestliner Storm 17 2013

2013

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Crestliner C 1860 VDS 2004 vs Crestliner Storm 17 2013 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Crestliner C 1860 VDS 2004 vs Crestliner Storm 17 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.

The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 50 hp, the Crestliner Storm 17 2013 has a 42-hp advantage over the Crestliner C 1860 VDS 2004's 8-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 C 1860 VDS 2004 carries 21 gallons versus 11 gallons in the Crestliner Storm 17 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 C 1860 VDS 2004 is rated for 6 passengers, while the Crestliner Storm 17 2013 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 1860 VDS 2004 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Crestliner C 1860 VDS 2004 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 6 passengers and at 0,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Crestliner Storm 17 2013 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 1860 VDS

ModelStorm 17

Model Year2004

Model Year2013

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam81 in

Beam75 in. (190.5 cm)

Beam - Meters2.06

Beam - Meters1.91

Beam - Inches81

Beam - Inches75

Weight - Detail770 lbs

Weight - Detail660 lbs. (299 kg)

Weight - kg349.27

Weight - kg299.37

Weight - lbs.77

Weight - lbs.66

Height - Detail21.5 in

Height - Detailnot available

Height - Meters0.56

Height - Metersnot available

Height - Inches21.5

Height - Inchesnot available

Height [transom]21 in

Height [transom]20 in. (51 cm)

Length overall - Detail18 ft

Length overall - Detail17 ft. (5.2 m)

Length overall - Meters5.49

Length overall - Meters5.18

Length overall - Inches216

Length overall - Inches204

Deadrisenot available

Deadrise8°

Depth - Detailnot available

Depth - DetailSide: 20 in. (51 cm)

Depth - Centimetersnot available

Depth - Centimeters50.8

Depth - Inchesnot available

Depth - Inches2

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Feet17

Body / Hull

Hull materialAluminum

Hull thicknessnot available

Hull thickness0.090 in

Hull typenot available

Hull typeModified Vee

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail21 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Detail11 gal. (41.6 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters79.49

Fuel tank capacity - Liters41.64

Fuel tank capacity - Gal21

Fuel tank capacity - Gal11

Engine max8

Engine max50 hp

Fuel typenot available

Fuel typeGas

Drive typenot available

Drive typeOutboard

Operational Info

Maximum capacity1350 lbs

Maximum capacity1,101 lbs. (499 kg)

Maximum people6 Persons

Maximum people3

Crestliner C 1860 VDS 2004 vs Crestliner Storm 17 2013 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Crestliner C 1860 VDS 2004 or the Crestliner Storm 17 2013?

For trailering, the Crestliner Storm 17 2013 has the edge at 66 lbs dry weight versus 77 lbs for the Crestliner C 1860 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 Storm 17 2013 is rated to a maximum of 50 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Crestliner C 1860 VDS 2004 tops out at 8 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 1860 VDS 2004 is Coast Guard rated for 6 passengers, while the Crestliner Storm 17 2013 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 1860 VDS 2004 measures 81" wide, compared to 75" for the Crestliner Storm 17 2013. 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.

Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Crestliner C 1860 VDS 2004 or the Crestliner Storm 17 2013?

The Crestliner C 1860 VDS 2004 has the bigger tank at 21 gallons, versus 11 gallons on the Crestliner Storm 17 2013. That 10-gallon difference translates to roughly 30–50 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Crestliner C 1860 VDS 2004 and Crestliner Storm 17 2013 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Crestliner C 1860 VDS 2004 and the Crestliner Storm 17 2013 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 1860 VDS 2004 full specs ← Crestliner Storm 17 2013 full specs