Alumacraft 1236 2004 vs Alumacraft Navigator 165CS 2001 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Alumacraft 1236 2004 or the Alumacraft Navigator 165CS 2001?

For trailering, the Alumacraft 1236 2004 has the edge at 13 lbs dry weight versus 88 lbs for the Alumacraft Navigator 165CS 2001. 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: How many people can each boat hold?

The Alumacraft 1236 2004 is Coast Guard rated for 3 passengers, while the Alumacraft Navigator 165CS 2001 is certified for 5. 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 Navigator 165CS 2001 measures 82" wide, compared to 55" for the Alumacraft 1236 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 Alumacraft 1236 2004 and Alumacraft Navigator 165CS 2001 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Alumacraft 1236 2004 and the Alumacraft Navigator 165CS 2001 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 2004 vs Alumacraft Navigator 165CS 2001

Alumacraft

Alumacraft 1236 2004

2004

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Alumacraft

Alumacraft Navigator 165CS 2001

2001

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Alumacraft 1236 2004 vs Alumacraft Navigator 165CS 2001 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Alumacraft 1236 2004 vs Alumacraft Navigator 165CS 2001 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.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Alumacraft Navigator 165CS 2001 is rated for 5 passengers, while the Alumacraft 1236 2004 caps at 3. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Alumacraft Navigator 165CS 2001 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Alumacraft Navigator 165CS 2001 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 5 passengers and at 0,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Alumacraft 1236 2004 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

ModelNavigator 165CS

Model Year2004

Model Year2001

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam55 in

Beam82"

Beam - Meters1.4

Beam - Meters2.08

Beam - Inches55

Beam - Inches82

Draft [drive up] - DetailN/A

Draft [drive up] - Detailnot available

Weight - Detail130 lbs

Weight - Detail880 lbs

Weight - kg58.97

Weight - kg399.16

Weight - lbs.13

Weight - lbs.88

Height - Detail19 in

Height - Detailnot available

Height - Meters0.48

Height - Metersnot available

Height - Inches19

Height - Inchesnot available

Height [transom]15 in

Height [transom]not available

Length overall - Detail12 ft

Length overall - Detail16' 5"

Length overall - Meters3.66

Length overall - Meters4.88

Length overall - Inches144

Length overall - Inches192

Body / Hull

Hull materialAluminum

Engine and Drivetrain

Engine/s standard15 hp

Engine/s standard35 - 75hp

Fuel tank capacity - DetailN/A

Fuel tank capacity - Detail22 gallons

Fuel tank capacity - Litersnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Liters83.28

Fuel tank capacity - Galnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Gal22

Operational Info

Water capacityN/A

Water capacitynot available

Maximum people3 persons

Maximum people5 person

Trailer Info

Trailer - DetailN/A

Trailer - Detailnot available

Alumacraft 1236 2004 vs Alumacraft Navigator 165CS 2001 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Alumacraft 1236 2004 or the Alumacraft Navigator 165CS 2001?

For trailering, the Alumacraft 1236 2004 has the edge at 13 lbs dry weight versus 88 lbs for the Alumacraft Navigator 165CS 2001. 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.

How many people can each boat hold?

The Alumacraft 1236 2004 is Coast Guard rated for 3 passengers, while the Alumacraft Navigator 165CS 2001 is certified for 5. 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 Navigator 165CS 2001 measures 82" wide, compared to 55" for the Alumacraft 1236 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 Alumacraft 1236 2004 and Alumacraft Navigator 165CS 2001 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Alumacraft 1236 2004 and the Alumacraft Navigator 165CS 2001 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 2004 full specs ← Alumacraft Navigator 165CS 2001 full specs