Crestliner CR 1448 T 2004 vs Crestliner Retriever 1546 DS 2011 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Crestliner CR 1448 T 2004 or the Crestliner Retriever 1546 DS 2011?

For trailering, the Crestliner Retriever 1546 DS 2011 has the edge at 5 lbs dry weight versus 26 lbs for the Crestliner CR 1448 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 Retriever 1546 DS 2011 is rated to a maximum of 40 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Crestliner CR 1448 T 2004 tops out at 25 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 1448 T 2004 is Coast Guard rated for 4 passengers, while the Crestliner Retriever 1546 DS 2011 is certified for 3. 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: Do these boats require an oversize trailer permit to tow on US highways?

Both the Crestliner CR 1448 T 2004 and Crestliner Retriever 1546 DS 2011 share an 70 in beam — meaning both sit right at the 8’6" threshold that most US states use for standard-width loads. In most states you can tow at that width without a special permit, but regulations vary. Always check the rules for your state and any states you'll be passing through before your first long haul.

Q: Are the Crestliner CR 1448 T 2004 and Crestliner Retriever 1546 DS 2011 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Crestliner CR 1448 T 2004 and the Crestliner Retriever 1546 DS 2011 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 1448 T 2004 vs Crestliner Retriever 1546 DS 2011

Crestliner

Crestliner CR 1448 T 2004

2004

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Crestliner

Crestliner Retriever 1546 DS 2011

2011

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Crestliner CR 1448 T 2004 vs Crestliner Retriever 1546 DS 2011 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Crestliner CR 1448 T 2004 vs Crestliner Retriever 1546 DS 2011 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.

Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling — 25 hp for the Crestliner CR 1448 T 2004 and 40 hp for the Crestliner Retriever 1546 DS 2011. Real-world performance will come down more to which motor is actually bolted on, its load at the time, and whether it's a 4-stroke or 2-stroke setup.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Crestliner CR 1448 T 2004 is rated for 4 passengers, while the Crestliner Retriever 1546 DS 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 CR 1448 T 2004 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Crestliner CR 1448 T 2004 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 4 passengers and at 0,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Crestliner Retriever 1546 DS 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.

General Boat Info

MakeCrestliner

ModelCR 1448 T

ModelRetriever 1546 DS

Model Year2004

Model Year2011

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam70 in

Beam70 in. (178 cm)

Beam - Meters1.78

Beam - Inches7

Weight - Detail260 lbs

Weight - Detail500 lbs. (227 kg)

Weight - kg117.93

Weight - kg226.8

Weight - lbs.26

Weight - lbs.5

Height - Detail19 in

Height - Detailnot available

Height - Meters0.48

Height - Metersnot available

Height - Inches19

Height - Inchesnot available

Height [transom]20 in

Height [transom]20 in. (51 cm)

Length overall - Detail14 ft

Length overall - Detail15 ft. (4.6 m)

Length overall - Meters4.27

Length overall - Meters4.57

Length overall - Inches168

Length overall - Inches18

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 - Feet15

Body / Hull

Hull materialAluminum

Hull thicknessnot available

Hull thickness0.080 in

Hull typenot available

Hull typeModified Vee

Engine and Drivetrain

Engine max25

Engine max40 hp

Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available

Fuel tank capacity - DetailPortable

Fuel typenot available

Fuel typeGas

Drive typenot available

Drive typeOutboard

Operational Info

Maximum capacity825 lbs

Maximum capacity875 lbs. (397 kg)

Maximum people4 Persons

Maximum people3

Trailer Info

Trailer - Detailnot available

Trailer - DetailBlack Marine Master 1-axle w/ loading guides

Crestliner CR 1448 T 2004 vs Crestliner Retriever 1546 DS 2011 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Crestliner CR 1448 T 2004 or the Crestliner Retriever 1546 DS 2011?

For trailering, the Crestliner Retriever 1546 DS 2011 has the edge at 5 lbs dry weight versus 26 lbs for the Crestliner CR 1448 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 Retriever 1546 DS 2011 is rated to a maximum of 40 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Crestliner CR 1448 T 2004 tops out at 25 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 1448 T 2004 is Coast Guard rated for 4 passengers, while the Crestliner Retriever 1546 DS 2011 is certified for 3. 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.

Do these boats require an oversize trailer permit to tow on US highways?

Both the Crestliner CR 1448 T 2004 and Crestliner Retriever 1546 DS 2011 share an 70 in beam — meaning both sit right at the 8’6" threshold that most US states use for standard-width loads. In most states you can tow at that width without a special permit, but regulations vary. Always check the rules for your state and any states you'll be passing through before your first long haul.

Are the Crestliner CR 1448 T 2004 and Crestliner Retriever 1546 DS 2011 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Crestliner CR 1448 T 2004 and the Crestliner Retriever 1546 DS 2011 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 1448 T 2004 full specs ← Crestliner Retriever 1546 DS 2011 full specs