The Crestliner Fish Hawk 1650 Tiller 2005 vs Crestliner Super Hawk 1700 2010 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.
On paper these two are close siblings in the size department - Crestliner Fish Hawk 1650 Tiller 2005 at 16,0 ft versus Crestliner Super Hawk 1700 2010 at 17,1 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Crestliner Super Hawk 1700 2010 tips the scales at 1 300 lbs - 420 lbs less than the Crestliner Fish Hawk 1650 Tiller 2005 at 880 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.
The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 140 hp, the Crestliner Super Hawk 1700 2010 has a 80-hp advantage over the Crestliner Fish Hawk 1650 Tiller 2005's 60-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 Super Hawk 1700 2010 carries 33 gallons versus 18 gallons in the Crestliner Fish Hawk 1650 Tiller 2005. 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 1700 2010 is rated for 6 passengers, while the Crestliner Fish Hawk 1650 Tiller 2005 caps at 5. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Crestliner Super Hawk 1700 2010 could be the deciding factor.
At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Crestliner Super Hawk 1700 2010 comes in at 9 lbs per hp versus 15 lbs per hp for the Crestliner Fish Hawk 1650 Tiller 2005. 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 1700 2010 if your priority is putting more people on the water - it handles 6 passengers and at 17,1 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Crestliner Fish Hawk 1650 Tiller 2005 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 5 that costs less to run day-to-day.