The Crestliner CR 1236 2011 is a flat-bottom design and the Crestliner Jons - C 2070VS 2009 is a modified-V design, so you're likely deciding between two noticeably different on-water experiences. Hull type shapes everything from ride quality and fuel burn to dock handling and resale trajectory.
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Crestliner Jons - C 2070VS 2009 measures 20,0 feet overall (2009), giving it roughly 8,1 additional feet of deck space compared to the Crestliner CR 1236 2011 at 11,9 feet (2011). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Crestliner Jons - C 2070VS 2009 tips the scales at 1 365 lbs - 1 225 lbs less than the Crestliner CR 1236 2011 at 140 lbs. That difference is meaningful if you're working within a half-ton or three-quarter-ton truck's tow rating, especially once you factor in a motor, gear, and fuel.
The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 90 hp, the Crestliner Jons - C 2070VS 2009 has a 80-hp advantage over the Crestliner CR 1236 2011's 10-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 Jons - C 2070VS 2009 is rated for 7 passengers, while the Crestliner CR 1236 2011 caps at 3. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Crestliner Jons - C 2070VS 2009 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Crestliner Jons - C 2070VS 2009 if your priority is putting more people on the water - it handles 7 passengers and at 20,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Crestliner CR 1236 2011 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 3 that costs less to run day-to-day.