Matching a flat Crestliner CR 1852MT 2013 against a modified vee Crestliner Sportsman 14 SS 2008 means you're likely deciding between two genuinely 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 CR 1852MT 2013 measures 18,0 feet overall (2013), giving it roughly 4,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Crestliner Sportsman 14 SS 2008 at 14,0 feet (2008). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Crestliner CR 1852MT 2013 tips the scales at 475 lbs — 423 lbs more than the Crestliner Sportsman 14 SS 2008 at 52 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.
Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling — 45 hp for the Crestliner CR 1852MT 2013 and 35 hp for the Crestliner Sportsman 14 SS 2008. 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 1852MT 2013 is rated for 6 passengers, while the Crestliner Sportsman 14 SS 2008 caps at 4. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Crestliner CR 1852MT 2013 could be the deciding factor.
At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Crestliner Sportsman 14 SS 2008 comes in at 2 lbs per hp versus 11 lbs per hp for the Crestliner CR 1852MT 2013. 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.
Bottom line: Choose the Crestliner CR 1852MT 2013 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 6 passengers and at 18,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Crestliner Sportsman 14 SS 2008 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 4 that costs less to run day-to-day.