When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Crestliner Fish Hawk Series 1700 SC 2009 and the Crestliner Retriever 2070 CC 2013 are modified vee designs with aluminum construction — the buying decision usually comes down to a handful of practical questions: how many people are you putting on the water, how far do you trailer, and what does your tow vehicle weigh?

Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Crestliner Fish Hawk Series 1700 SC 2009 measures 17,0 feet overall (2009), giving it roughly 15,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Crestliner Retriever 2070 CC 2013 at 2,0 feet (2013). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Crestliner Retriever 2070 CC 2013 tips the scales at 117 lbs — 106 lbs less than the Crestliner Fish Hawk Series 1700 SC 2009 at 11 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.

Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling — 115 hp for the Crestliner Fish Hawk Series 1700 SC 2009 and 115 hp for the Crestliner Retriever 2070 CC 2013. Real-world performance will come down more to which motor is actually bolted on, its load at the time, and whether it's a 4-stroke or 2-stroke setup.

Both boats are rated for 6 passengers — a good fit for a family of four or five plus guests. Comfort at capacity is another matter; the longer hull typically means more seat options and better weight distribution.

At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Crestliner Fish Hawk Series 1700 SC 2009 comes in at 0 lbs per hp versus 1 lbs per hp for the Crestliner Retriever 2070 CC 2013. 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.