Matching a deep vee Crestliner Fish Hawk 1850 WT 2012 against a modified vee Crestliner Retriever 1756 SC 2013 means you're likely deciding between two genuinely different on-water experiences. Hull type shapes everything from ride quality and fuel burn to dock handling and resale trajectory.
On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Crestliner Fish Hawk 1850 WT 2012 at 18,5 ft versus Crestliner Retriever 1756 SC 2013 at 17,0 ft. At 125 lbs and 73 lbs respectively, both sit in a similar weight class — either should pair comfortably with most mid-size SUVs and half-ton trucks, though always confirm your specific tow rating with the motor added.
The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 150 hp, the Crestliner Fish Hawk 1850 WT 2012 has a 75-hp advantage over the Crestliner Retriever 1756 SC 2013's 75-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 Fish Hawk 1850 WT 2012 carries 31 gallons versus 19 gallons in the Crestliner Retriever 1756 SC 2013. 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 Fish Hawk 1850 WT 2012 is rated for 6 passengers, while the Crestliner Retriever 1756 SC 2013 caps at 5. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Crestliner Fish Hawk 1850 WT 2012 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Crestliner Fish Hawk 1850 WT 2012 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 6 passengers and at 18,5 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Crestliner Retriever 1756 SC 2013 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 5 that costs less to run day-to-day.