Both the Crestliner CX Crappie 17 2010 and the Crestliner Jons - C 2070VS 2009 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 Crappie 17 2010 at 17,1 ft versus Crestliner Jons - C 2070VS 2009 at 20,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Crestliner Jons - C 2070VS 2009 tips the scales at 1 365 lbs - 325 lbs less than the Crestliner CX Crappie 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.

Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling - 90 hp for the Crestliner CX Crappie 17 2010 and 90 hp for the Crestliner Jons - C 2070VS 2009. 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.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Crestliner Jons - C 2070VS 2009 is rated for 7 passengers, while the Crestliner CX Crappie 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 Jons - C 2070VS 2009 could be the deciding factor.