Alumacraft 1236 2002 vs Alumacraft Competitor 185 CS 2012 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Alumacraft 1236 2002 or the Alumacraft Competitor 185 CS 2012?

For trailering, the Alumacraft 1236 2002 has the edge at 13 lbs dry weight versus 142 lbs for the Alumacraft Competitor 185 CS 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 Alumacraft Competitor 185 CS 2012 is rated to a maximum of 150 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Alumacraft 1236 2002 tops out at 15 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 Alumacraft 1236 2002 is Coast Guard rated for 3 passengers, while the Alumacraft Competitor 185 CS 2012 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 Alumacraft Competitor 185 CS 2012 measures 95" wide, compared to 55" for the Alumacraft 1236 2002. 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 Alumacraft 1236 2002 and Alumacraft Competitor 185 CS 2012 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Alumacraft 1236 2002 and the Alumacraft Competitor 185 CS 2012 are built by Alumacraft. 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

Alumacraft 1236 2002 vs Alumacraft Competitor 185 CS 2012

Alumacraft

Alumacraft 1236 2002

2002

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Alumacraft

Alumacraft Competitor 185 CS 2012

2012

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Alumacraft 1236 2002 vs Alumacraft Competitor 185 CS 2012 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Alumacraft 1236 2002 vs Alumacraft Competitor 185 CS 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 150 hp, the Alumacraft Competitor 185 CS 2012 has a 135-hp advantage over the Alumacraft 1236 2002's 15-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 Alumacraft Competitor 185 CS 2012 is rated for 6 passengers, while the Alumacraft 1236 2002 caps at 3. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Alumacraft Competitor 185 CS 2012 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Alumacraft Competitor 185 CS 2012 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 6 passengers and at 18,7 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Alumacraft 1236 2002 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 3 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeAlumacraft

Model1236

ModelCompetitor 185 CS

Model Year2002

Model Year2012

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam55 in

Beam95 in. (2.41 m)

Beam - Meters1.4

Beam - Meters2.41

Beam - Inches55

Beam - Inches95

Weight - Detail130 lbs

Weight - Detail1,420 lbs. (583 kg)

Weight - kg58.97

Weight - kg644.1

Weight - lbs.13

Weight - lbs.142

Height - Detail19 in

Height - Detailnot available

Height - Meters0.48

Height - Metersnot available

Height - Inches19

Height - Inchesnot available

Height [transom]15 in

Height [transom]25 in. (0.64 m)

Length overall - Detail12 ft

Length overall - Detail18 ft. 8 in. (5.38 m)

Length overall - Meters3.66

Length overall - Meters5.69

Length overall - Inches144

Length overall - Inches224

Depth - Detailnot available

Depth - Detail43 in. (1.09 m) To Floor: 23 in. (0.58 m)

Depth - Centimetersnot available

Depth - Centimeters109.22

Depth - Inchesnot available

Depth - Inches43

Width [transom] - Detailnot available

Width [transom] - Detail95 in. (2.36 m)

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Feet18.67

Body / Hull

Hull materialAluminum

Hull thicknessnot available

Hull thicknessBottom and Sides: 0.080 in. (2 mm)

Hull typenot available

Hull typeDeep Vee

Engine and Drivetrain

Engine max15 hp w/Tiller Steering

Engine max150 hp (112 kW)

Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Detail35 gal. (132.5 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Litersnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Liters132.49

Fuel tank capacity - Galnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Gal35

Fuel typenot available

Fuel typeGas

Drive typenot available

Drive typeOutboard

Operational Info

Maximum people3 persons

Maximum people6

Storagenot available

StorageBow Livewell: 22 gal. (83.3 l) Aft Livewell: 21 gal. (79.5 l)

Maximum capacitynot available

Maximum capacity1,600 lbs. (725 kg)

Alumacraft 1236 2002 vs Alumacraft Competitor 185 CS 2012 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Alumacraft 1236 2002 or the Alumacraft Competitor 185 CS 2012?

For trailering, the Alumacraft 1236 2002 has the edge at 13 lbs dry weight versus 142 lbs for the Alumacraft Competitor 185 CS 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 Alumacraft Competitor 185 CS 2012 is rated to a maximum of 150 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Alumacraft 1236 2002 tops out at 15 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 Alumacraft 1236 2002 is Coast Guard rated for 3 passengers, while the Alumacraft Competitor 185 CS 2012 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 Alumacraft Competitor 185 CS 2012 measures 95" wide, compared to 55" for the Alumacraft 1236 2002. 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 Alumacraft 1236 2002 and Alumacraft Competitor 185 CS 2012 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Alumacraft 1236 2002 and the Alumacraft Competitor 185 CS 2012 are built by Alumacraft. 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.

← Alumacraft 1236 2002 full specs ← Alumacraft Competitor 185 CS 2012 full specs