Crestliner Mirage 1800 2006 vs Crestliner Sportsman 16 2004 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Crestliner Mirage 1800 2006 or the Crestliner Sportsman 16 2004?

For trailering, the Crestliner Sportsman 16 2004 has the edge at 43 lbs dry weight versus 147 lbs for the Crestliner Mirage 1800 2006. 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 Mirage 1800 2006 is rated to a maximum of 175 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Crestliner Sportsman 16 2004 tops out at 4 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 Mirage 1800 2006 is Coast Guard rated for 7 passengers, while the Crestliner Sportsman 16 2004 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.

Q: Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Crestliner Mirage 1800 2006 measures 95" wide, compared to 75" for the Crestliner Sportsman 16 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 Mirage 1800 2006 and Crestliner Sportsman 16 2004 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Crestliner Mirage 1800 2006 and the Crestliner Sportsman 16 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 Mirage 1800 2006 vs Crestliner Sportsman 16 2004

Crestliner

Crestliner Mirage 1800 2006

2006

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Crestliner

Crestliner Sportsman 16 2004

2004

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Crestliner Mirage 1800 2006 vs Crestliner Sportsman 16 2004 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Crestliner Mirage 1800 2006 vs Crestliner Sportsman 16 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 175 hp, the Crestliner Mirage 1800 2006 has a 171-hp advantage over the Crestliner Sportsman 16 2004's 4-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 Mirage 1800 2006 is rated for 7 passengers, while the Crestliner Sportsman 16 2004 caps at 6. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Crestliner Mirage 1800 2006 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Crestliner Mirage 1800 2006 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 7 passengers and at 18,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Crestliner Sportsman 16 2004 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 6 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeCrestliner

ModelMirage 18

ModelSportsman 16

Model Year2006

Model Year2004

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam95 in. (241 cm)

Beam75 in

Beam - Meters2.41

Beam - Meters1.91

Beam - Inches95

Beam - Inches75

Deadrise17℃

Deadrisenot available

Depth - Detail27 in. (69 cm)

Depth - Detailnot available

Depth - Centimeters68.58

Depth - Centimetersnot available

Depth - Inches27

Depth - Inchesnot available

Weight - Detail1,470 lbs. (667 kg)

Weight - Detail430 lbs

Weight - kg666.78

Weight - kg195.04

Weight - lbs.147

Weight - lbs.43

Width [transom] - Detail95 in. (241 cm)

Width [transom] - Detailnot available

Height - Detail41 in. (104 cm)

Height - Detail28.5 in

Height - Meters1.04

Height - Meters0.74

Height - Inches41

Height - Inches28.5

Height [transom]25 in. (64 cm)

Height [transom]20 in

Length - Meters5.5

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Feet18

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Inches2

Length - Inchesnot available

Length overall - Detail18 ft. 2 in. (5.5 m)

Length overall - Detail16 ft. 7 in

Length overall - Meters5.54

Length overall - Meters5.05

Length overall - Inches218

Length overall - Inches199

Body / Hull

Hull thicknessBottom: .090 Sides: .125 Transom: .1

Hull thicknessnot available

Engine and Drivetrain

Engine/s standard90EXLPT Optimax

Engine/s standardnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Detail39 gal. (148 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Liters147.63

Fuel tank capacity - Litersnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Gal39

Fuel tank capacity - Galnot available

Drive typeOutboard

Drive typenot available

Engine max175 hp

Engine max4

Operational Info

Maximum capacity1,625 lbs. (737 kg)

Maximum capacity1300 lbs

Maximum people7

Maximum people6 Persons

Crestliner Mirage 1800 2006 vs Crestliner Sportsman 16 2004 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Crestliner Mirage 1800 2006 or the Crestliner Sportsman 16 2004?

For trailering, the Crestliner Sportsman 16 2004 has the edge at 43 lbs dry weight versus 147 lbs for the Crestliner Mirage 1800 2006. 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 Mirage 1800 2006 is rated to a maximum of 175 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Crestliner Sportsman 16 2004 tops out at 4 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 Mirage 1800 2006 is Coast Guard rated for 7 passengers, while the Crestliner Sportsman 16 2004 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 Mirage 1800 2006 measures 95" wide, compared to 75" for the Crestliner Sportsman 16 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 Mirage 1800 2006 and Crestliner Sportsman 16 2004 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Crestliner Mirage 1800 2006 and the Crestliner Sportsman 16 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 Mirage 1800 2006 full specs ← Crestliner Sportsman 16 2004 full specs