The Crestliner Retriever 1650 DS 2012 is a modified-V design and the Crestliner Sun Cast 2185 Angler 2009 is a pontoon design, so you're likely deciding between two noticeably different on-water experiences. Hull type shapes everything from ride quality and fuel burn to dock handling and resale trajectory.
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Crestliner Sun Cast 2185 Angler 2009 measures 20,0 feet overall (2009), giving it roughly 4,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Crestliner Retriever 1650 DS 2012 at 16,0 feet (2012). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Crestliner Sun Cast 2185 Angler 2009 tips the scales at 1 900 lbs - 1 330 lbs less than the Crestliner Retriever 1650 DS 2012 at 570 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 - 50 hp for the Crestliner Retriever 1650 DS 2012 and 60 hp for the Crestliner Sun Cast 2185 Angler 2009. 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.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Crestliner Sun Cast 2185 Angler 2009 is rated for 9 passengers, while the Crestliner Retriever 1650 DS 2012 caps at 4. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Crestliner Sun Cast 2185 Angler 2009 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Crestliner Sun Cast 2185 Angler 2009 if your priority is putting more people on the water - it handles 9 passengers and at 20,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Crestliner Retriever 1650 DS 2012 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 4 that costs less to run day-to-day.