Crestliner CR 1236 2004 vs Crestliner Retriever Jon Deluxe 1650 2012 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Crestliner CR 1236 2004 or the Crestliner Retriever Jon Deluxe 1650 2012?

For trailering, the Crestliner CR 1236 2004 has the edge at 14 lbs dry weight versus 565 lbs for the Crestliner Retriever Jon Deluxe 1650 2012. 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 Jon Deluxe 1650 2012 is rated to a maximum of 50 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Crestliner CR 1236 2004 tops out at 1 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 CR 1236 2004 is Coast Guard rated for 3 passengers, while the Crestliner Retriever Jon Deluxe 1650 2012 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 Retriever Jon Deluxe 1650 2012 measures 74" wide, compared to 56" for the Crestliner CR 1236 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 CR 1236 2004 and Crestliner Retriever Jon Deluxe 1650 2012 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Crestliner CR 1236 2004 and the Crestliner Retriever Jon Deluxe 1650 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 CR 1236 2004 vs Crestliner Retriever Jon Deluxe 1650 2012

Crestliner

Crestliner CR 1236 2004

2004

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Crestliner

Crestliner Retriever Jon Deluxe 1650 2012

2012

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Crestliner CR 1236 2004 vs Crestliner Retriever Jon Deluxe 1650 2012 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Crestliner CR 1236 2004 vs Crestliner Retriever Jon Deluxe 1650 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 50 hp, the Crestliner Retriever Jon Deluxe 1650 2012 has a 49-hp advantage over the Crestliner CR 1236 2004's 1-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 Retriever Jon Deluxe 1650 2012 is rated for 4 passengers, while the Crestliner CR 1236 2004 caps at 3. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Crestliner Retriever Jon Deluxe 1650 2012 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Crestliner Retriever Jon Deluxe 1650 2012 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 4 passengers and at 16,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Crestliner CR 1236 2004 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

ModelCR 1236

ModelRetriever Jon Deluxe 165

Model Year2004

Model Year2012

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam56 in

Beam74 in. (188 cm)

Beam - Meters1.42

Beam - Meters1.88

Beam - Inches56

Beam - Inches74

Weight - Detail140 lbs

Weight - Detail565 lbs. (256 kg)

Weight - kg63.5

Weight - kg256.28

Weight - lbs.14

Weight - lbs.565

Height - Detail17 in

Height - Detailnot available

Height - Meters0.43

Height - Metersnot available

Height - Inches17

Height - Inchesnot available

Height [transom]15 in

Height [transom]20 in. (51 cm)

Length overall - Detail11 ft. 11 in

Length overall - Detail16 ft. (4.88 m)

Length overall - Meters3.63

Length overall - Meters4.88

Length overall - Inches143

Length overall - Inches192

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 - Feet16

Body / Hull

Hull materialAluminum

Hull thicknessnot available

Hull thickness0.100 in

Hull typenot available

Hull typeModified Vee

Engine and Drivetrain

Engine max1

Engine max50 hp

Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Detail6 gal. portable

Fuel tank capacity - Litersnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Liters22.71

Fuel tank capacity - Galnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Gal6

Fuel typenot available

Fuel typeGas

Drive typenot available

Drive typeOutboard

Operational Info

Maximum capacity527 lbs

Maximum capacity1,051 lbs. (477 kg)

Maximum people3 Persons

Maximum people4

Crestliner CR 1236 2004 vs Crestliner Retriever Jon Deluxe 1650 2012 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Crestliner CR 1236 2004 or the Crestliner Retriever Jon Deluxe 1650 2012?

For trailering, the Crestliner CR 1236 2004 has the edge at 14 lbs dry weight versus 565 lbs for the Crestliner Retriever Jon Deluxe 1650 2012. 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 Jon Deluxe 1650 2012 is rated to a maximum of 50 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Crestliner CR 1236 2004 tops out at 1 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 CR 1236 2004 is Coast Guard rated for 3 passengers, while the Crestliner Retriever Jon Deluxe 1650 2012 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 Retriever Jon Deluxe 1650 2012 measures 74" wide, compared to 56" for the Crestliner CR 1236 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 CR 1236 2004 and Crestliner Retriever Jon Deluxe 1650 2012 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Crestliner CR 1236 2004 and the Crestliner Retriever Jon Deluxe 1650 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 CR 1236 2004 full specs ← Crestliner Retriever Jon Deluxe 1650 2012 full specs