The Crestliner CR 1236 2011 is a flat-bottom design and the Crestliner Retriever 1546 DS 2011 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 Retriever 1546 DS 2011 measures 15,0 feet overall (2011), giving it roughly 3,1 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 Retriever 1546 DS 2011 tips the scales at 500 lbs - 360 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 40 hp, the Crestliner Retriever 1546 DS 2011 has a 30-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.

Both boats are rated for 3 passengers - a good fit for a family of four or five plus guests. Comfort at capacity is another matter; the longer hull typically means more seat options and better weight distribution.

At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Crestliner Retriever 1546 DS 2011 comes in at 13 lbs per hp versus 14 lbs per hp for the Crestliner CR 1236 2011. The lower the ratio the more explosive the acceleration - meaningful on a short RIB where bursts of speed, quick planing, and agility in surf or tight waterways define the experience.