Crestliner CX 1860 2005 vs Crestliner Sportsman 16 SS 2004 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer - the Crestliner CX 1860 2005 or the Crestliner Sportsman 16 SS 2004?

For trailering, the Crestliner Sportsman 16 SS 2004 has the edge at 550 lbs dry weight versus 1 000 lbs for the Crestliner CX 1860 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 CX 1860 2005 is rated to a maximum of 130 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Crestliner Sportsman 16 SS 2004 tops out at 40 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 2005 is Coast Guard rated for 5 passengers, while the Crestliner Sportsman 16 SS 2004 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 CX 1860 2005 measures 81" wide, compared to 75" for the Crestliner Sportsman 16 SS 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 2005 and Crestliner Sportsman 16 SS 2004 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the Crestliner CX 1860 2005 and the Crestliner Sportsman 16 SS 2004 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 2005 vs Crestliner Sportsman 16 SS 2004

Crestliner

Crestliner CX 1860 2005

2005

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Crestliner

Crestliner Sportsman 16 SS 2004

2004

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Crestliner CX 1860 2005 vs Crestliner Sportsman 16 SS 2004: Same Brand, Different Boat

The Crestliner CX 1860 2005 vs Crestliner Sportsman 16 SS 2004 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 2005 has a 90-hp advantage over the Crestliner Sportsman 16 SS 2004's 40-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 16 SS 2004 is rated for 6 passengers, while the Crestliner CX 1860 2005 caps at 5. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Crestliner Sportsman 16 SS 2004 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Crestliner Sportsman 16 SS 2004 if your priority is putting more people on the water - it handles 6 passengers and at 0,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Crestliner CX 1860 2005 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 1860

ModelSportsman 16 SS

Model Year2005

Model Year2004

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam81 in. (206 cm)

Beam75 in.

Beam - Meters2.06

Beam - Meters1.91

Beam - Inches81

Beam - Inches75

Weight - Detail1,000 lbs. (454 kg)

Weight - Detail550 lbs.

Weight - kg453.59

Weight - kg249.48

Weight - lbs.1000

Weight - lbs.550

Width [transom] - Detail60 in. (152 cm)

Width [transom] - Detailnot available

Height [transom]20 in.

Length - Meters5.5

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Feet18

Length - Feetnot available

Length overall - Detail18 ft. 0 in. (5.5 m)

Length overall - Detail16 ft. 7 in.

Length overall - Meters5.49

Length overall - Meters5.05

Length overall - Inches216

Length overall - Inches199

Height - Detailnot available

Height - Detail28.5 in.

Height - Metersnot available

Height - Meters0.74

Height - Inchesnot available

Height - Inches28.5

Body / Hull

Hull thicknessBottom: .100 Sides: .100

Hull thicknessnot available

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail21 gal. (79 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Liters79.49

Fuel tank capacity - Litersnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Gal21

Fuel tank capacity - Galnot available

Drive typeOutboard

Drive typenot available

Engine max130 hp

Engine max40

Operational Info

Maximum capacity1,290 lbs. (585 kg)

Maximum capacity1300 lbs.

Maximum people5

Maximum people6 Persons

Trailer Info

Trailer - DetailOptional

Trailer - Detailnot available

Crestliner CX 1860 2005 vs Crestliner Sportsman 16 SS 2004 - Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer - the Crestliner CX 1860 2005 or the Crestliner Sportsman 16 SS 2004?

For trailering, the Crestliner Sportsman 16 SS 2004 has the edge at 550 lbs dry weight versus 1 000 lbs for the Crestliner CX 1860 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 CX 1860 2005 is rated to a maximum of 130 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Crestliner Sportsman 16 SS 2004 tops out at 40 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 2005 is Coast Guard rated for 5 passengers, while the Crestliner Sportsman 16 SS 2004 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 CX 1860 2005 measures 81" wide, compared to 75" for the Crestliner Sportsman 16 SS 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 2005 and Crestliner Sportsman 16 SS 2004 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the Crestliner CX 1860 2005 and the Crestliner Sportsman 16 SS 2004 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 2005 full specs ← Crestliner Sportsman 16 SS 2004 full specs