Alumacraft 1236 2002 vs Alumacraft VS170 2009 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Alumacraft 1236 2002 or the Alumacraft VS170 2009?

For trailering, the Alumacraft 1236 2002 has the edge at 13 lbs dry weight versus 852 lbs for the Alumacraft VS170 2009. 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 VS170 2009 is rated to a maximum of 70 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 VS170 2009 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 Alumacraft VS170 2009 measures 74" 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 VS170 2009 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Alumacraft 1236 2002 and the Alumacraft VS170 2009 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 VS170 2009

Alumacraft

Alumacraft 1236 2002

2002

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Alumacraft

Alumacraft VS170 2009

2009

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Alumacraft 1236 2002 vs Alumacraft VS170 2009 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Alumacraft 1236 2002 vs Alumacraft VS170 2009 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 70 hp, the Alumacraft VS170 2009 has a 55-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 VS170 2009 is rated for 4 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 VS170 2009 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Alumacraft VS170 2009 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 4 passengers and at 17,0 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

ModelVS17

Model Year2002

Model Year2009

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam55 in

Beam74 in. (1.88 m) Bottom: 52 in. (1.32 m)

Beam - Meters1.4

Beam - Meters1.88

Beam - Inches55

Beam - Inches74

Weight - Detail130 lbs

Weight - Detail852 lbs. (386 kg)

Weight - kg58.97

Weight - kg386.46

Weight - lbs.13

Weight - lbs.852

Height - Detail19 in

Height - Detailnot available

Height - Meters0.48

Height - Metersnot available

Height - Inches19

Height - Inchesnot available

Height [transom]15 in

Height [transom]22 in. (0.56 m)

Length overall - Detail12 ft

Length overall - Detail17 ft. (5.18 m)

Length overall - Meters3.66

Length overall - Meters5.18

Length overall - Inches144

Length overall - Inches204

Depth - Detailnot available

Depth - Detail22 in. (0.56 m)

Depth - Centimetersnot available

Depth - Centimeters55.88

Depth - Inchesnot available

Depth - Inches22

Width [transom] - Detailnot available

Width [transom] - Detail74 in. (1.88 m)

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Meters5.18

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Feet17

Body / Hull

Hull materialAluminum

Hull thicknessnot available

Hull thickness0.102 in. (2.5 mm)

Hull typenot available

Hull typeModified Vee

Engine and Drivetrain

Engine max15 hp w/Tiller Steering

Engine max70 hp (51 kw)

Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Detail16 gal. (60 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Litersnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Liters60.57

Fuel tank capacity - Galnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Gal16

Fuel typenot available

Fuel typeGas

Drive typenot available

Drive typeOutboard

Operational Info

Maximum people3 persons

Maximum people4

Maximum capacitynot available

Maximum capacity1,100 lbs. (499 kg)

Alumacraft 1236 2002 vs Alumacraft VS170 2009 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Alumacraft 1236 2002 or the Alumacraft VS170 2009?

For trailering, the Alumacraft 1236 2002 has the edge at 13 lbs dry weight versus 852 lbs for the Alumacraft VS170 2009. 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 VS170 2009 is rated to a maximum of 70 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 VS170 2009 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 Alumacraft VS170 2009 measures 74" 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 VS170 2009 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Alumacraft 1236 2002 and the Alumacraft VS170 2009 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 VS170 2009 full specs