Crestliner Sportsman 18 SS 2004 vs Crestliner TC 17 2012 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer - the Crestliner Sportsman 18 SS 2004 or the Crestliner TC 17 2012?

For trailering, the Crestliner Sportsman 18 SS 2004 has the edge at 670 lbs dry weight versus 966 lbs for the Crestliner TC 17 2012. 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 TC 17 2012 is rated to a maximum of 75 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Crestliner Sportsman 18 SS 2004 tops out at 50 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 Sportsman 18 SS 2004 is Coast Guard rated for 7 passengers, while the Crestliner TC 17 2012 is certified for 4. 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 TC 17 2012 measures 85" wide, compared to 78" for the Crestliner Sportsman 18 SS 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 Sportsman 18 SS 2004 and Crestliner TC 17 2012 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the Crestliner Sportsman 18 SS 2004 and the Crestliner TC 17 2012 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 Sportsman 18 SS 2004 vs Crestliner TC 17 2012

Crestliner

Crestliner Sportsman 18 SS 2004

2004

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Crestliner

Crestliner TC 17 2012

2012

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Crestliner Sportsman 18 SS 2004 vs Crestliner TC 17 2012: Same Brand, Different Boat

The Crestliner Sportsman 18 SS 2004 vs Crestliner TC 17 2012 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 75 hp, the Crestliner TC 17 2012 has a 25-hp advantage over the Crestliner Sportsman 18 SS 2004'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 Sportsman 18 SS 2004 is rated for 7 passengers, while the Crestliner TC 17 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 Sportsman 18 SS 2004 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Crestliner Sportsman 18 SS 2004 if your priority is putting more people on the water - it handles 7 passengers and at 0,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Crestliner TC 17 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.

General Boat Info

MakeCrestliner

ModelSportsman 18 SS

ModelTC 17

Model Year2004

Model Year2012

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam78 in.

Beam85 in. (216 cm)

Beam - Meters1.98

Beam - Meters2.16

Beam - Inches78

Beam - Inches85

Weight - Detail670 lbs.

Weight - Detail966 lbs. (438 kg)

Weight - kg303.91

Weight - kg438.17

Weight - lbs.670

Weight - lbs.966

Height - Detail33.5 in.

Height - Detailnot available

Height - Meters0.86

Height - Metersnot available

Height - Inches33.5

Height - Inchesnot available

Height [transom]20 in.

Height [transom]20 in. (51 cm)

Length overall - Detail18 ft.

Length overall - Detail17 ft. (5.2 m)

Length overall - Meters5.49

Length overall - Meters5.18

Length overall - Inches216

Length overall - Inches204

Deadrisenot available

Deadrise10°

Depth - Detailnot available

Depth - DetailSide: 24 in. (61 cm)

Depth - Centimetersnot available

Depth - Centimeters60.96

Depth - Inchesnot available

Depth - Inches24

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Feet17

Engine and Drivetrain

Engine max50

Engine max75 hp

Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Detail12 gal. (45 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Litersnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Liters45.42

Fuel tank capacity - Galnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Gal12

Fuel typenot available

Fuel typeGas

Drive typenot available

Drive typeOutboard

Operational Info

Maximum capacity1390 lbs.

Maximum capacity1,150 lbs. (522 kg)

Maximum people7 Persons

Maximum people4

Body / Hull

Hull materialnot available

Hull materialAluminum

Hull thicknessnot available

Hull thickness0.100 in.

Hull typenot available

Hull typeModified Vee

Crestliner Sportsman 18 SS 2004 vs Crestliner TC 17 2012 - Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer - the Crestliner Sportsman 18 SS 2004 or the Crestliner TC 17 2012?

For trailering, the Crestliner Sportsman 18 SS 2004 has the edge at 670 lbs dry weight versus 966 lbs for the Crestliner TC 17 2012. 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 TC 17 2012 is rated to a maximum of 75 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Crestliner Sportsman 18 SS 2004 tops out at 50 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 Sportsman 18 SS 2004 is Coast Guard rated for 7 passengers, while the Crestliner TC 17 2012 is certified for 4. 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 TC 17 2012 measures 85" wide, compared to 78" for the Crestliner Sportsman 18 SS 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 Sportsman 18 SS 2004 and Crestliner TC 17 2012 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the Crestliner Sportsman 18 SS 2004 and the Crestliner TC 17 2012 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 Sportsman 18 SS 2004 full specs ← Crestliner TC 17 2012 full specs