Crestliner CS 16SS 2004 vs Crestliner Sportsman 14 SS 2005 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Crestliner CS 16SS 2004 or the Crestliner Sportsman 14 SS 2005?

For trailering, the Crestliner CS 16SS 2004 has the edge at 7 lbs dry weight versus 52 lbs for the Crestliner Sportsman 14 SS 2005. 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 Sportsman 14 SS 2005 is rated to a maximum of 35 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Crestliner CS 16SS 2004 tops out at 4 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 CS 16SS 2004 is Coast Guard rated for 3 passengers, while the Crestliner Sportsman 14 SS 2005 is certified for 4. 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 Sportsman 14 SS 2005 measures 73" wide, compared to 71" for the Crestliner CS 16SS 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 CS 16SS 2004 and Crestliner Sportsman 14 SS 2005 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Crestliner CS 16SS 2004 and the Crestliner Sportsman 14 SS 2005 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 CS 16SS 2004 vs Crestliner Sportsman 14 SS 2005

Crestliner

Crestliner CS 16SS 2004

2004

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Crestliner

Crestliner Sportsman 14 SS 2005

2005

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Crestliner CS 16SS 2004 vs Crestliner Sportsman 14 SS 2005 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Crestliner CS 16SS 2004 vs Crestliner Sportsman 14 SS 2005 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 35 hp, the Crestliner Sportsman 14 SS 2005 has a 31-hp advantage over the Crestliner CS 16SS 2004's 4-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 Sportsman 14 SS 2005 is rated for 4 passengers, while the Crestliner CS 16SS 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 Sportsman 14 SS 2005 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Crestliner Sportsman 14 SS 2005 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 4 passengers and at 14,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Crestliner CS 16SS 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

ModelCS 16SS

ModelSportsman 14 SS

Model Year2004

Model Year2005

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam71 in

Beam73 in. (185 cm)

Beam - Meters1.8

Beam - Meters1.85

Beam - Inches71

Beam - Inches73

Weight - Detail700 lbs

Weight - Detail520 lbs. (235 kg)

Weight - kg317.51

Weight - kg235.87

Weight - lbs.7

Weight - lbs.52

Length overall - Detail16 ft

Length overall - Detail14 ft. 7 in. (4.4 m)

Length overall - Meters4.88

Length overall - Meters4.45

Length overall - Inches192

Length overall - Inches175

Width [transom] - Detailnot available

Width [transom] - Detail73 in. (185 cm)

Height - Detailnot available

Height - Detail27.5 in. (70 cm)

Height - Metersnot available

Height - Meters0.71

Height - Inchesnot available

Height - Inches27.5

Height [transom]not available

Height [transom]20 in. (51 cm)

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Meters4.4

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Feet14

Length - Inchesnot available

Length - Inches7

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - DetailPortable

Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available

Engine max4

Engine max35 hp

Operational Info

Maximum capacity900 lbs

Maximum capacity1,010 lbs. (458 kg)

Maximum people3 Persons

Maximum people4

Body / Hull

Hull thicknessnot available

Hull thicknessBottom: .080 Sides: .080 Transom: .1

Trailer Info

Trailer - Detailnot available

Trailer - DetailOptional

Crestliner CS 16SS 2004 vs Crestliner Sportsman 14 SS 2005 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Crestliner CS 16SS 2004 or the Crestliner Sportsman 14 SS 2005?

For trailering, the Crestliner CS 16SS 2004 has the edge at 7 lbs dry weight versus 52 lbs for the Crestliner Sportsman 14 SS 2005. 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 Sportsman 14 SS 2005 is rated to a maximum of 35 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Crestliner CS 16SS 2004 tops out at 4 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 CS 16SS 2004 is Coast Guard rated for 3 passengers, while the Crestliner Sportsman 14 SS 2005 is certified for 4. 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 Sportsman 14 SS 2005 measures 73" wide, compared to 71" for the Crestliner CS 16SS 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 CS 16SS 2004 and Crestliner Sportsman 14 SS 2005 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Crestliner CS 16SS 2004 and the Crestliner Sportsman 14 SS 2005 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 CS 16SS 2004 full specs ← Crestliner Sportsman 14 SS 2005 full specs