Crestliner CXJ 1870 CC 2008 vs Crestliner Sportfish 1850 O/B 2004 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer - the Crestliner CXJ 1870 CC 2008 or the Crestliner Sportfish 1850 O/B 2004?

For trailering, the Crestliner CXJ 1870 CC 2008 has the edge at 1 175 lbs dry weight versus 1 470 lbs for the Crestliner Sportfish 1850 O/B 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 Sportfish 1850 O/B 2004 is rated to a maximum of 175 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Crestliner CXJ 1870 CC 2008 tops out at 90 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 CXJ 1870 CC 2008 is Coast Guard rated for 5 passengers, while the Crestliner Sportfish 1850 O/B 2004 is certified for 7. 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 Sportfish 1850 O/B 2004 measures 95" wide, compared to 91" for the Crestliner CXJ 1870 CC 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: Which boat has the larger fuel tank - the Crestliner CXJ 1870 CC 2008 or the Crestliner Sportfish 1850 O/B 2004?

The Crestliner Sportfish 1850 O/B 2004 has the bigger tank at 39 gallons, versus 21 gallons on the Crestliner CXJ 1870 CC 2008. That 18-gallon difference translates to roughly 54–90 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Crestliner CXJ 1870 CC 2008 and Crestliner Sportfish 1850 O/B 2004 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the Crestliner CXJ 1870 CC 2008 and the Crestliner Sportfish 1850 O/B 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 CXJ 1870 CC 2008 vs Crestliner Sportfish 1850 O/B 2004

Crestliner

Crestliner CXJ 1870 CC 2008

2008

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Crestliner

Crestliner Sportfish 1850 O/B 2004

2004

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Crestliner CXJ 1870 CC 2008 vs Crestliner Sportfish 1850 O/B 2004: Same Brand, Different Boat

The Crestliner CXJ 1870 CC 2008 vs Crestliner Sportfish 1850 O/B 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 175 hp, the Crestliner Sportfish 1850 O/B 2004 has a 85-hp advantage over the Crestliner CXJ 1870 CC 2008's 90-hp ceiling - enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Crestliner Sportfish 1850 O/B 2004 carries 39 gallons versus 21 gallons in the Crestliner CXJ 1870 CC 2008. 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 Sportfish 1850 O/B 2004 is rated for 7 passengers, while the Crestliner CXJ 1870 CC 2008 caps at 5. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Crestliner Sportfish 1850 O/B 2004 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Crestliner Sportfish 1850 O/B 2004 if your priority is putting more people on the water - it handles 7 passengers and at 0,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Crestliner CXJ 1870 CC 2008 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

ModelCXJ 1870 CC

ModelSportfish 1850 O/B

Model Year2008

Model Year2004

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam90.5 in. (230 cm)

Beam95 in.

Beam - Meters2.31

Beam - Meters2.41

Beam - Inches90.5

Beam - Inches95

Deadrise10℃

Deadrisenot available

Depth - Detail23 in. (58 cm)

Depth - Detailnot available

Depth - Centimeters58.42

Depth - Centimetersnot available

Depth - Inches23

Depth - Inchesnot available

Weight - Detail1,175 lbs. (533 kg)

Weight - Detail1470 lbs.

Weight - kg532.97

Weight - kg666.78

Weight - lbs.1175

Weight - lbs.1470

Width [transom] - Detail70 in. (178 cm)

Width [transom] - Detailnot available

Height [transom]20 in. (51 cm)

Height [transom]25 in.

Length - Meters5.5

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Feet18

Length - Feetnot available

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

Length overall - Detail18 ft. 2 in.

Length overall - Meters5.49

Length overall - Meters5.54

Length overall - Inches216

Length overall - Inches218

Height - Detailnot available

Height - Detail41 in.

Height - Metersnot available

Height - Meters1.04

Height - Inchesnot available

Height - Inches41

Body / Hull

Hull materialAluminum

Hull materialnot available

Hull thickness0.100 in.

Hull thicknessnot available

Hull typeModified Vee

Hull typenot available

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail21 gal. (79 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail39 gal.

Fuel tank capacity - Liters79.49

Fuel tank capacity - Liters147.63

Fuel tank capacity - Gal21

Fuel tank capacity - Gal39

Fuel typeGas

Fuel typenot available

Drive typeOutboard

Drive typenot available

Engine max90 / 115 hp with jet

Engine max175

Operational Info

Maximum capacity1,290 lbs. (573 kg)

Maximum capacity1625 lbs.

Maximum people5

Maximum people7 Persons

Crestliner CXJ 1870 CC 2008 vs Crestliner Sportfish 1850 O/B 2004 - Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer - the Crestliner CXJ 1870 CC 2008 or the Crestliner Sportfish 1850 O/B 2004?

For trailering, the Crestliner CXJ 1870 CC 2008 has the edge at 1 175 lbs dry weight versus 1 470 lbs for the Crestliner Sportfish 1850 O/B 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 Sportfish 1850 O/B 2004 is rated to a maximum of 175 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Crestliner CXJ 1870 CC 2008 tops out at 90 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 CXJ 1870 CC 2008 is Coast Guard rated for 5 passengers, while the Crestliner Sportfish 1850 O/B 2004 is certified for 7. 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 Sportfish 1850 O/B 2004 measures 95" wide, compared to 91" for the Crestliner CXJ 1870 CC 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.

Which boat has the larger fuel tank - the Crestliner CXJ 1870 CC 2008 or the Crestliner Sportfish 1850 O/B 2004?

The Crestliner Sportfish 1850 O/B 2004 has the bigger tank at 39 gallons, versus 21 gallons on the Crestliner CXJ 1870 CC 2008. That 18-gallon difference translates to roughly 54–90 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Crestliner CXJ 1870 CC 2008 and Crestliner Sportfish 1850 O/B 2004 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the Crestliner CXJ 1870 CC 2008 and the Crestliner Sportfish 1850 O/B 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 CXJ 1870 CC 2008 full specs ← Crestliner Sportfish 1850 O/B 2004 full specs