Crestliner C 1860 VDS 2004 vs Crestliner TC 18 2011 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Crestliner C 1860 VDS 2004 or the Crestliner TC 18 2011?

For trailering, the Crestliner C 1860 VDS 2004 has the edge at 77 lbs dry weight versus 1 044 lbs for the Crestliner TC 18 2011. 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 TC 18 2011 is rated to a maximum of 75 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 TC 18 2011 is certified for 4. 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 TC 18 2011 measures 91" wide, compared to 81" for the Crestliner C 1860 VDS 2004. 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: How do the fuel tanks compare on the Crestliner C 1860 VDS 2004 and Crestliner TC 18 2011?

Both boats carry similar fuel loads — 21 gallons and 22 gallons respectively. Range will depend heavily on motor choice, throttle usage, and whether you're on flat lake water or coastal chop.

Q: Are the Crestliner C 1860 VDS 2004 and Crestliner TC 18 2011 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Crestliner C 1860 VDS 2004 and the Crestliner TC 18 2011 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 TC 18 2011

Crestliner

Crestliner C 1860 VDS 2004

2004

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Crestliner

Crestliner TC 18 2011

2011

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Crestliner C 1860 VDS 2004 vs Crestliner TC 18 2011 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Crestliner C 1860 VDS 2004 vs Crestliner TC 18 2011 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 75 hp, the Crestliner TC 18 2011 has a 67-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. Both carry nearly identical fuel loads — 21 gal and 22 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.

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 TC 18 2011 caps at 4. 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 TC 18 2011 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 4 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeCrestliner

ModelC 1860 VDS

ModelTC 18

Model Year2004

Model Year2011

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam81 in

Beam91 in. (231 cm)

Beam - Meters2.06

Beam - Meters2.31

Beam - Inches81

Beam - Inches91

Weight - Detail770 lbs

Weight - Detail1,044 lbs. (474 kg)

Weight - kg349.27

Weight - kg473.55

Weight - lbs.77

Weight - lbs.1044

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 - Detail18 ft. 3 in. (5.6 m)

Length overall - Meters5.49

Length overall - Meters5.56

Length overall - Inches216

Length overall - Inches219

Deadrisenot available

Deadrise10°

Depth - Detailnot available

Depth - DetailSide: 24 in. (61 cm)

Depth - Centimetersnot available

Depth - Centimeters60.96

Depth - Inchesnot available

Depth - Inches24

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Feet18.25

Body / Hull

Hull materialAluminum

Hull thicknessnot available

Hull thickness0.100 in

Hull typenot available

Hull typeModified Vee

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail21 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Detail22 gal. (83 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters79.49

Fuel tank capacity - Liters83.28

Fuel tank capacity - Gal21

Fuel tank capacity - Gal22

Engine max8

Engine max75 hp

Fuel typenot available

Fuel typeGas

Drive typenot available

Drive typeOutboard

Operational Info

Maximum capacity1350 lbs

Maximum capacity1,150 lbs. (522 kg)

Maximum people6 Persons

Maximum people4

Trailer Info

Trailer - Detailnot available

Trailer - DetailBlack Marine Master 1-axle w/ loading guides

Crestliner C 1860 VDS 2004 vs Crestliner TC 18 2011 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Crestliner C 1860 VDS 2004 or the Crestliner TC 18 2011?

For trailering, the Crestliner C 1860 VDS 2004 has the edge at 77 lbs dry weight versus 1 044 lbs for the Crestliner TC 18 2011. 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 TC 18 2011 is rated to a maximum of 75 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 TC 18 2011 is certified for 4. 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 TC 18 2011 measures 91" wide, compared to 81" for the Crestliner C 1860 VDS 2004. 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.

How do the fuel tanks compare on the Crestliner C 1860 VDS 2004 and Crestliner TC 18 2011?

Both boats carry similar fuel loads — 21 gallons and 22 gallons respectively. Range will depend heavily on motor choice, throttle usage, and whether you're on flat lake water or coastal chop.

Are the Crestliner C 1860 VDS 2004 and Crestliner TC 18 2011 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Crestliner C 1860 VDS 2004 and the Crestliner TC 18 2011 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 TC 18 2011 full specs