Crestliner CX 1860 2004 vs Crestliner Sportsman 14 SS 2008 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer - the Crestliner CX 1860 2004 or the Crestliner Sportsman 14 SS 2008?

For trailering, the Crestliner Sportsman 14 SS 2008 has the edge at 520 lbs dry weight versus 1 000 lbs for the Crestliner CX 1860 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 CX 1860 2004 is rated to a maximum of 130 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Crestliner Sportsman 14 SS 2008 tops out at 35 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 Sportsman 14 SS 2008 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 CX 1860 2004 measures 81" wide, compared to 73" for the Crestliner Sportsman 14 SS 2008. 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 Sportsman 14 SS 2008 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the Crestliner CX 1860 2004 and the Crestliner Sportsman 14 SS 2008 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 Sportsman 14 SS 2008

Crestliner

Crestliner CX 1860 2004

2004

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Crestliner

Crestliner Sportsman 14 SS 2008

2008

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Crestliner CX 1860 2004 vs Crestliner Sportsman 14 SS 2008: Same Brand, Different Boat

The Crestliner CX 1860 2004 vs Crestliner Sportsman 14 SS 2008 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 130 hp, the Crestliner CX 1860 2004 has a 95-hp advantage over the Crestliner Sportsman 14 SS 2008's 35-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 CX 1860 2004 is rated for 5 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 CX 1860 2004 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Crestliner CX 1860 2004 if your priority is putting more people on the water - it handles 5 passengers and at 0,0 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.

General Boat Info

MakeCrestliner

ModelCX 1860

ModelSportsman 14 SS

Model Year2004

Model Year2008

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam81 in.

Beam73 in. (185 cm)

Beam - Meters2.06

Beam - Meters1.85

Beam - Inches81

Beam - Inches73

Weight - Detail1000 lbs.

Weight - Detail520 lbs. (235 kg)

Weight - kg453.59

Weight - kg235.87

Weight - lbs.1000

Weight - lbs.520

Length overall - Detail18 ft.

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

Length overall - Meters5.49

Length overall - Meters4.45

Length overall - Inches216

Length overall - Inches175

Deadrisenot available

Deadrise6℃

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 - Detail21 gal.

Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Liters79.49

Fuel tank capacity - Litersnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Gal21

Fuel tank capacity - Galnot available

Engine max130

Engine max35 hp

Fuel typenot available

Fuel typeGas

Drive typenot available

Drive typeOutboard

Operational Info

Maximum capacity1265 lbs.

Maximum capacity1,010 lbs. (458 kg)

Maximum people5 Persons

Maximum people4

Body / Hull

Hull materialnot available

Hull materialAluminum

Hull thicknessnot available

Hull thicknessBottom: 0.080 in. Sides: 0.080 in. Transom: 0.100 in.

Hull typenot available

Hull typeModified Vee

Crestliner CX 1860 2004 vs Crestliner Sportsman 14 SS 2008 - Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer - the Crestliner CX 1860 2004 or the Crestliner Sportsman 14 SS 2008?

For trailering, the Crestliner Sportsman 14 SS 2008 has the edge at 520 lbs dry weight versus 1 000 lbs for the Crestliner CX 1860 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 CX 1860 2004 is rated to a maximum of 130 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Crestliner Sportsman 14 SS 2008 tops out at 35 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 Sportsman 14 SS 2008 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 CX 1860 2004 measures 81" wide, compared to 73" for the Crestliner Sportsman 14 SS 2008. 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 Sportsman 14 SS 2008 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the Crestliner CX 1860 2004 and the Crestliner Sportsman 14 SS 2008 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 Sportsman 14 SS 2008 full specs