Crestliner CXP 185 2004 boat specs
Crestliner
Crestliner CXP 185 2004
2004
View full specs →
VS
Crestliner Retriever Jon Deluxe 1860 2012 boat specs
Crestliner
Crestliner Retriever Jon Deluxe 1860 2012
2012
View full specs →

Crestliner CXP 185 2004 vs Crestliner Retriever Jon Deluxe 1860 2012 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Crestliner CXP 185 2004 vs Crestliner Retriever Jon Deluxe 1860 2012 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 75 hp, the Crestliner Retriever Jon Deluxe 1860 2012 has a 60-hp advantage over the Crestliner CXP 185 2004's 15-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 CXP 185 2004 carries 41 gallons versus 6 gallons in the Crestliner Retriever Jon Deluxe 1860 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 Retriever Jon Deluxe 1860 2012 is rated for 6 passengers, while the Crestliner CXP 185 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 Retriever Jon Deluxe 1860 2012 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Crestliner Retriever Jon Deluxe 1860 2012 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 6 passengers and at 18,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Crestliner CXP 185 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
MakeCrestliner
ModelCXP 185
ModelRetriever Jon Deluxe 186
Model Year2004
Model Year2012
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam91 in
Beam85 in. (216 cm)
Beam - Meters2.31
Beam - Meters2.16
Beam - Inches91
Beam - Inches85
Weight - Detail1235 lbs
Weight - Detail723 lbs. (328 kg)
Weight - kg560.19
Weight - kg327.95
Weight - lbs.1235
Weight - lbs.723
Length overall - Detail18 ft
Length overall - Detail18 ft. (5.49 m)
Length overall - Meters5.49
Length overall - Meters5.49
Length overall - Inches216
Length overall - Inches216
Deadrisenot available
Deadrise3.5°
Depth - Detailnot available
Depth - DetailSide: 24 in. (61 cm)
Depth - Centimetersnot available
Depth - Centimeters60.96
Depth - Inchesnot available
Depth - Inches24
Height [transom]not available
Height [transom]20 in. (51 cm)
Length - Feetnot available
Length - Feet18
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail41 gal
Fuel tank capacity - Detail6 gal. portable
Fuel tank capacity - Liters155.2
Fuel tank capacity - Liters22.71
Fuel tank capacity - Gal41
Fuel tank capacity - Gal6
Engine max15
Engine max75 hp
Fuel typenot available
Fuel typeGas
Drive typenot available
Drive typeOutboard
Operational Info
Maximum capacity1300 lbs
Maximum capacity1,659 lbs. (753 kg)
Maximum people4 Persons
Maximum people6
Body / Hull
Hull materialnot available
Hull materialAluminum
Hull thicknessnot available
Hull thickness0.100 in
Hull typenot available
Hull typeModified Vee

Crestliner CXP 185 2004 vs Crestliner Retriever Jon Deluxe 1860 2012 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Crestliner CXP 185 2004 or the Crestliner Retriever Jon Deluxe 1860 2012?
For trailering, the Crestliner Retriever Jon Deluxe 1860 2012 has the edge at 723 lbs dry weight versus 1 235 lbs for the Crestliner CXP 185 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 Retriever Jon Deluxe 1860 2012 is rated to a maximum of 75 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Crestliner CXP 185 2004 tops out at 15 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 CXP 185 2004 is Coast Guard rated for 4 passengers, while the Crestliner Retriever Jon Deluxe 1860 2012 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 CXP 185 2004 measures 91" wide, compared to 85" for the Crestliner Retriever Jon Deluxe 1860 2012. 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 CXP 185 2004 or the Crestliner Retriever Jon Deluxe 1860 2012?
The Crestliner CXP 185 2004 has the bigger tank at 41 gallons, versus 6 gallons on the Crestliner Retriever Jon Deluxe 1860 2012. That 35-gallon difference translates to roughly 105–175 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.
Are the Crestliner CXP 185 2004 and Crestliner Retriever Jon Deluxe 1860 2012 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Crestliner CXP 185 2004 and the Crestliner Retriever Jon Deluxe 1860 2012 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.