Crestliner CX 1860 2004 vs Crestliner Retriever 1860 CC 2012 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Crestliner CX 1860 2004 or the Crestliner Retriever 1860 CC 2012?

For trailering, the Crestliner CX 1860 2004 has the edge at 1 lbs dry weight versus 95 lbs for the Crestliner Retriever 1860 CC 2012. 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 1860 CC 2012 is rated to a maximum of 90 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Crestliner CX 1860 2004 tops out at 13 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 CX 1860 2004 is Coast Guard rated for 5 passengers, while the Crestliner Retriever 1860 CC 2012 is certified for 6. 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 Retriever 1860 CC 2012 measures 85" wide, compared to 81" for the Crestliner CX 1860 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 CX 1860 2004 and Crestliner Retriever 1860 CC 2012 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Crestliner CX 1860 2004 and the Crestliner Retriever 1860 CC 2012 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 CX 1860 2004 vs Crestliner Retriever 1860 CC 2012

Crestliner

Crestliner CX 1860 2004

2004

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Crestliner

Crestliner Retriever 1860 CC 2012

2012

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Crestliner CX 1860 2004 vs Crestliner Retriever 1860 CC 2012 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Crestliner CX 1860 2004 vs Crestliner Retriever 1860 CC 2012 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 90 hp, the Crestliner Retriever 1860 CC 2012 has a 77-hp advantage over the Crestliner CX 1860 2004's 13-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 Retriever 1860 CC 2012 is rated for 6 passengers, while the Crestliner CX 1860 2004 caps at 5. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Crestliner Retriever 1860 CC 2012 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Crestliner Retriever 1860 CC 2012 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 1860 2004 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 5 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeCrestliner

ModelCX 186

ModelRetriever 1860 CC

Model Year2004

Model Year2012

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam81 in

Beam85 in. (216 cm)

Beam - Meters2.06

Beam - Meters2.16

Beam - Inches81

Beam - Inches85

Weight - Detail1000 lbs

Weight - Detail950 lbs. (431 kg)

Weight - kg453.59

Weight - kg430.91

Weight - lbs.1

Weight - lbs.95

Length overall - Detail18 ft

Length overall - Detail18 ft. (5.5 m)

Length overall - Meters5.49

Length overall - Inches216

Deadrisenot available

Deadrise3.5°

Depth - Detailnot available

Depth - DetailSide: 24 in. (60 cm)

Depth - Centimetersnot available

Depth - Centimeters60.96

Depth - Inchesnot available

Depth - Inches24

Height [transom]not available

Height [transom]20 in. (51 cm)

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Feet18

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail21 gal

Fuel tank capacity - DetailPortable

Fuel tank capacity - Liters79.49

Fuel tank capacity - Litersnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Gal21

Fuel tank capacity - Galnot available

Engine max13

Engine max90 hp

Fuel typenot available

Fuel typeGas

Drive typenot available

Drive typeOutboard

Operational Info

Maximum capacity1265 lbs

Maximum capacity1,500 lbs. (680 kg)

Maximum people5 Persons

Maximum people6

Body / Hull

Hull materialnot available

Hull materialAluminum

Hull thicknessnot available

Hull thickness0.100 in

Hull typenot available

Hull typeModified Vee

Crestliner CX 1860 2004 vs Crestliner Retriever 1860 CC 2012 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Crestliner CX 1860 2004 or the Crestliner Retriever 1860 CC 2012?

For trailering, the Crestliner CX 1860 2004 has the edge at 1 lbs dry weight versus 95 lbs for the Crestliner Retriever 1860 CC 2012. 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 1860 CC 2012 is rated to a maximum of 90 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Crestliner CX 1860 2004 tops out at 13 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 CX 1860 2004 is Coast Guard rated for 5 passengers, while the Crestliner Retriever 1860 CC 2012 is certified for 6. 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 Retriever 1860 CC 2012 measures 85" wide, compared to 81" for the Crestliner CX 1860 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 CX 1860 2004 and Crestliner Retriever 1860 CC 2012 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Crestliner CX 1860 2004 and the Crestliner Retriever 1860 CC 2012 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 CX 1860 2004 full specs ← Crestliner Retriever 1860 CC 2012 full specs