Crestliner CXJ 1870 SC 2008 vs Crestliner Sportsman 14 2004 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Crestliner CXJ 1870 SC 2008 or the Crestliner Sportsman 14 2004?

For trailering, the Crestliner Sportsman 14 2004 has the edge at 41 lbs dry weight versus 1 175 lbs for the Crestliner CXJ 1870 SC 2008. 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 CXJ 1870 SC 2008 is rated to a maximum of 90 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Crestliner Sportsman 14 2004 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 CXJ 1870 SC 2008 is Coast Guard rated for 5 passengers, while the Crestliner Sportsman 14 2004 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 CXJ 1870 SC 2008 measures 91" wide, compared to 73" for the Crestliner Sportsman 14 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 CXJ 1870 SC 2008 and Crestliner Sportsman 14 2004 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Crestliner CXJ 1870 SC 2008 and the Crestliner Sportsman 14 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 SC 2008 vs Crestliner Sportsman 14 2004

Crestliner

Crestliner CXJ 1870 SC 2008

2008

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Crestliner

Crestliner Sportsman 14 2004

2004

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Crestliner CXJ 1870 SC 2008 vs Crestliner Sportsman 14 2004 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Crestliner CXJ 1870 SC 2008 vs Crestliner Sportsman 14 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 90 hp, the Crestliner CXJ 1870 SC 2008 has a 55-hp advantage over the Crestliner Sportsman 14 2004'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 CXJ 1870 SC 2008 is rated for 5 passengers, while the Crestliner Sportsman 14 2004 caps at 4. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Crestliner CXJ 1870 SC 2008 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Crestliner CXJ 1870 SC 2008 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 5 passengers and at 18,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Crestliner Sportsman 14 2004 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

ModelCXJ 1870 SC

ModelSportsman 14

Model Year2008

Model Year2004

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam90.5 in. (230 cm)

Beam73 in

Beam - Meters2.31

Beam - Meters1.85

Beam - Inches90.5

Beam - Inches73

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 - Detail410 lbs

Weight - kg532.97

Weight - kg185.97

Weight - lbs.1175

Weight - lbs.41

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

Width [transom] - Detailnot available

Height [transom]20 in. (51 cm)

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 - Detail14 ft. 7 in

Length overall - Meters5.49

Length overall - Meters4.45

Length overall - Inches216

Length overall - Inches175

Height - Detailnot available

Height - Detail27.5 in

Height - Metersnot available

Height - Meters0.71

Height - Inchesnot available

Height - Inches27.5

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 - Detailnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Liters79.49

Fuel tank capacity - Litersnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Gal21

Fuel tank capacity - Galnot available

Fuel typeGas

Fuel typenot available

Drive typeOutboard

Drive typenot available

Engine max90 / 115 hp with jet

Engine max35

Operational Info

Maximum capacity1,290 lbs. (573 kg)

Maximum capacity1010 lbs

Maximum people5

Maximum people4 Persons

Crestliner CXJ 1870 SC 2008 vs Crestliner Sportsman 14 2004 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Crestliner CXJ 1870 SC 2008 or the Crestliner Sportsman 14 2004?

For trailering, the Crestliner Sportsman 14 2004 has the edge at 41 lbs dry weight versus 1 175 lbs for the Crestliner CXJ 1870 SC 2008. 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 CXJ 1870 SC 2008 is rated to a maximum of 90 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Crestliner Sportsman 14 2004 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 CXJ 1870 SC 2008 is Coast Guard rated for 5 passengers, while the Crestliner Sportsman 14 2004 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 CXJ 1870 SC 2008 measures 91" wide, compared to 73" for the Crestliner Sportsman 14 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 CXJ 1870 SC 2008 and Crestliner Sportsman 14 2004 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Crestliner CXJ 1870 SC 2008 and the Crestliner Sportsman 14 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 SC 2008 full specs ← Crestliner Sportsman 14 2004 full specs