The Crestliner Retriever 1650 DS 2012 is a modified-V design and the Crestliner Super Hawk 1650 2013 is a deep-V 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.

On paper these two are close siblings in the size department - Crestliner Retriever 1650 DS 2012 at 16,0 ft versus Crestliner Super Hawk 1650 2013 at 16,3 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Crestliner Super Hawk 1650 2013 tips the scales at 1 000 lbs - 430 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.

The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 90 hp, the Crestliner Super Hawk 1650 2013 has a 40-hp advantage over the Crestliner Retriever 1650 DS 2012's 50-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 Super Hawk 1650 2013 is rated for 6 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 Super Hawk 1650 2013 could be the deciding factor.

At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Crestliner Super Hawk 1650 2013 comes in at 11 lbs per hp versus 11 lbs per hp for the Crestliner Retriever 1650 DS 2012. 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.