Crestliner CR 1236 2004 vs Crestliner Sportsmen Series 18 SS 2009 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Crestliner CR 1236 2004 or the Crestliner Sportsmen Series 18 SS 2009?

For trailering, the Crestliner CR 1236 2004 has the edge at 14 lbs dry weight versus 67 lbs for the Crestliner Sportsmen Series 18 SS 2009. 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 Sportsmen Series 18 SS 2009 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 Sportsmen Series 18 SS 2009 is certified for 7. 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 Sportsmen Series 18 SS 2009 measures 78" 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 Sportsmen Series 18 SS 2009 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Crestliner CR 1236 2004 and the Crestliner Sportsmen Series 18 SS 2009 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 Sportsmen Series 18 SS 2009

Crestliner

Crestliner CR 1236 2004

2004

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Crestliner

Crestliner Sportsmen Series 18 SS 2009

2009

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Crestliner CR 1236 2004 vs Crestliner Sportsmen Series 18 SS 2009 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Crestliner CR 1236 2004 vs Crestliner Sportsmen Series 18 SS 2009 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 Sportsmen Series 18 SS 2009 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 Sportsmen Series 18 SS 2009 is rated for 7 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 Sportsmen Series 18 SS 2009 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Crestliner Sportsmen Series 18 SS 2009 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 7 passengers and at 18,0 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

ModelSportsmen Series 18 SS

Model Year2004

Model Year2009

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam56 in

Beam78 in. (198 cm)

Beam - Meters1.42

Beam - Meters1.98

Beam - Inches56

Beam - Inches78

Weight - Detail140 lbs

Weight - Detail670 lbs. (304 kg)

Weight - kg63.5

Weight - kg303.91

Weight - lbs.14

Weight - lbs.67

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 - Detail18 ft. 0 in. (5.5 m)

Length overall - Meters3.63

Length overall - Meters5.49

Length overall - Inches143

Length overall - Inches216

Deadrisenot available

Deadrise10°

Depth - Detailnot available

Depth - Detail33.5 in. (85 cm) bow depth

Depth - Centimetersnot available

Depth - Centimeters86.36

Depth - Inchesnot available

Depth - Inches33.5

Width [transom] - Detailnot available

Width [transom] - Detail78 in. (198 cm)

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Meters5.5

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Feet18

Body / Hull

Hull materialAluminum

Hull thicknessnot available

Hull thicknessBottom: 0.090 in. Sides: 0.080 in. Transom: 0.125 in

Hull typenot available

Hull typeModified Vee

Engine and Drivetrain

Engine max1

Engine max50 hp

Fuel typenot available

Fuel typeGas

Drive typenot available

Drive typeOutboard

Operational Info

Maximum capacity527 lbs

Maximum capacity1,390 lbs. (630 kg)

Maximum people3 Persons

Maximum people7

Crestliner CR 1236 2004 vs Crestliner Sportsmen Series 18 SS 2009 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Crestliner CR 1236 2004 or the Crestliner Sportsmen Series 18 SS 2009?

For trailering, the Crestliner CR 1236 2004 has the edge at 14 lbs dry weight versus 67 lbs for the Crestliner Sportsmen Series 18 SS 2009. 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 Sportsmen Series 18 SS 2009 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 Sportsmen Series 18 SS 2009 is certified for 7. 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 Sportsmen Series 18 SS 2009 measures 78" 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 Sportsmen Series 18 SS 2009 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Crestliner CR 1236 2004 and the Crestliner Sportsmen Series 18 SS 2009 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 Sportsmen Series 18 SS 2009 full specs