Matching a modified vee Crestliner CX Bass Series 17 2009 against a deep vee Crestliner Super Hawk 1600 - Closed 2012 means you're likely deciding between two genuinely different on-water experiences. Hull type shapes everything from ride quality and fuel burn to dock handling and resale trajectory.
On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Crestliner CX Bass Series 17 2009 at 17,0 ft versus Crestliner Super Hawk 1600 - Closed 2012 at 16,3 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Crestliner CX Bass Series 17 2009 tips the scales at 104 lbs — 103 lbs more than the Crestliner Super Hawk 1600 - Closed 2012 at 1 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.
Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling — 90 hp for the Crestliner CX Bass Series 17 2009 and 90 hp for the Crestliner Super Hawk 1600 - Closed 2012. Real-world performance will come down more to which motor is actually bolted on, its load at the time, and whether it's a 4-stroke or 2-stroke setup. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Crestliner CX Bass Series 17 2009 carries 19 gallons versus 2 gallons in the Crestliner Super Hawk 1600 - Closed 2012. 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 Super Hawk 1600 - Closed 2012 is rated for 6 passengers, while the Crestliner CX Bass Series 17 2009 caps at 4. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Crestliner Super Hawk 1600 - Closed 2012 could be the deciding factor.
At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Crestliner Super Hawk 1600 - Closed 2012 comes in at 0 lbs per hp versus 1 lbs per hp for the Crestliner CX Bass Series 17 2009. 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 Super Hawk 1600 - Closed 2012 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 6 passengers and at 16,3 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Crestliner CX Bass Series 17 2009 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 4 that costs less to run day-to-day.