Crestliner C 1860 VDS 2005 vs Crestliner CR 1648 T 2004 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Crestliner C 1860 VDS 2005 or the Crestliner CR 1648 T 2004?

For trailering, the Crestliner C 1860 VDS 2005 has the edge at 77 lbs dry weight versus 275 lbs for the Crestliner CR 1648 T 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 C 1860 VDS 2005 is rated to a maximum of 90 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Crestliner CR 1648 T 2004 tops out at 35 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 2005 is Coast Guard rated for 6 passengers, while the Crestliner CR 1648 T 2004 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 C 1860 VDS 2005 measures 81" wide, compared to 7" for the Crestliner CR 1648 T 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: Are the Crestliner C 1860 VDS 2005 and Crestliner CR 1648 T 2004 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Crestliner C 1860 VDS 2005 and the Crestliner CR 1648 T 2004 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 2005 vs Crestliner CR 1648 T 2004

Crestliner

Crestliner C 1860 VDS 2005

2005

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Crestliner

Crestliner CR 1648 T 2004

2004

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Crestliner C 1860 VDS 2005 vs Crestliner CR 1648 T 2004 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Crestliner C 1860 VDS 2005 vs Crestliner CR 1648 T 2004 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 90 hp, the Crestliner C 1860 VDS 2005 has a 55-hp advantage over the Crestliner CR 1648 T 2004's 35-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 1860 VDS 2005 is rated for 6 passengers, while the Crestliner CR 1648 T 2004 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 2005 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Crestliner C 1860 VDS 2005 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 CR 1648 T 2004 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

ModelCR 1648 T

Model Year2005

Model Year2004

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam81 in. (206 cm)

Beam70 in

Beam - Meters2.06

Beam - Meters1.78

Beam - Inches81

Beam - Inches7

Depth - Detail21.5 in. (55 cm)

Depth - Detailnot available

Depth - Centimeters55.88

Depth - Centimetersnot available

Depth - Inches21.5

Depth - Inchesnot available

Weight - Detail770 lbs. (350 kg)

Weight - Detail275 lbs

Weight - kg349.27

Weight - kg124.74

Weight - lbs.77

Weight - lbs.275

Width [transom] - Detail60 in. (152 cm)

Width [transom] - Detailnot available

Height [transom]20 in. (51 cm)

Height [transom]20 in

Length - Meters5.5

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Feet18

Length - Feetnot available

Length overall - Detail18 ft. 0 in. (5.5 m)

Length overall - Detail15 ft. 10 in

Length overall - Meters5.49

Length overall - Meters4.83

Length overall - Inches216

Length overall - Inches19

Height - Detailnot available

Height - Detail21 in

Height - Metersnot available

Height - Meters0.53

Height - Inchesnot available

Height - Inches21

Body / Hull

Hull materialAluminum

Hull thicknessHull Gauge: .1

Hull thicknessnot available

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail21 gal. (79 l)

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 max90 hp

Engine max35

Operational Info

Maximum capacity1,312 lbs. (595 kg)

Maximum capacity973 lbs

Maximum people6

Maximum people4 Persons

Trailer Info

Trailer - DetailOptional

Trailer - Detailnot available

Crestliner C 1860 VDS 2005 vs Crestliner CR 1648 T 2004 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Crestliner C 1860 VDS 2005 or the Crestliner CR 1648 T 2004?

For trailering, the Crestliner C 1860 VDS 2005 has the edge at 77 lbs dry weight versus 275 lbs for the Crestliner CR 1648 T 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 C 1860 VDS 2005 is rated to a maximum of 90 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Crestliner CR 1648 T 2004 tops out at 35 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 2005 is Coast Guard rated for 6 passengers, while the Crestliner CR 1648 T 2004 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 C 1860 VDS 2005 measures 81" wide, compared to 7" for the Crestliner CR 1648 T 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.

Are the Crestliner C 1860 VDS 2005 and Crestliner CR 1648 T 2004 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Crestliner C 1860 VDS 2005 and the Crestliner CR 1648 T 2004 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 2005 full specs ← Crestliner CR 1648 T 2004 full specs