Both the Crestliner CX 17 2010 and the Crestliner Fish Hawk 1850 SC / WT 2008 are modified-V designs, both built in aluminium, so the buying decision usually comes down to a handful of practical questions: how many people are you putting on the water, how far do you trailer, and what does your tow vehicle weigh?
On paper these two are close siblings in the size department - Crestliner CX 17 2010 at 17,1 ft versus Crestliner Fish Hawk 1850 SC / WT 2008 at 18,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Crestliner Fish Hawk 1850 SC / WT 2008 tips the scales at 1 300 lbs - 260 lbs less than the Crestliner CX 17 2010 at 1 040 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 150 hp, the Crestliner Fish Hawk 1850 SC / WT 2008 has a 60-hp advantage over the Crestliner CX 17 2010's 90-hp ceiling - enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Crestliner Fish Hawk 1850 SC / WT 2008 carries 31 gallons versus 19 gallons in the Crestliner CX 17 2010. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Crestliner Fish Hawk 1850 SC / WT 2008 is rated for 6 passengers, while the Crestliner CX 17 2010 caps at 4. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Crestliner Fish Hawk 1850 SC / WT 2008 could be the deciding factor.
At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Crestliner Fish Hawk 1850 SC / WT 2008 comes in at 9 lbs per hp versus 12 lbs per hp for the Crestliner CX 17 2010. 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 Fish Hawk 1850 SC / WT 2008 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 CX 17 2010 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 4 that costs less to run day-to-day.