When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Excel Boats 1651VDB 2011 and the Excel Boats 860CRSC 2011 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?
The Excel Boats 1651VDB 2011 carries a rated maximum of 50 hp. Engine data for the Excel Boats 860CRSC 2011 wasn't available in our records — check the manufacturer's spec sheet before sizing a motor.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Excel Boats 860CRSC 2011 is rated for 5 passengers, while the Excel Boats 1651VDB 2011 caps at 4. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Excel Boats 860CRSC 2011 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Excel Boats 860CRSC 2011 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 5 passengers and at 18,2 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Excel Boats 1651VDB 2011 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 4 that costs less to run day-to-day.