Alumacraft 1542 2002 vs Alumacraft Dominator 165 CS 2006 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Alumacraft 1542 2002 or the Alumacraft Dominator 165 CS 2006?

For trailering, the Alumacraft 1542 2002 has the edge at 226 lbs dry weight versus 1 175 lbs for the Alumacraft Dominator 165 CS 2006. 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 Dominator 165 CS 2006 is rated to a maximum of 90 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Alumacraft 1542 2002 tops out at 25 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 1542 2002 is Coast Guard rated for 4 passengers, while the Alumacraft Dominator 165 CS 2006 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 1542 2002 measures 62" wide, compared to 9" for the Alumacraft Dominator 165 CS 2006. 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 1542 2002 and Alumacraft Dominator 165 CS 2006 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Alumacraft 1542 2002 and the Alumacraft Dominator 165 CS 2006 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 1542 2002 vs Alumacraft Dominator 165 CS 2006

Alumacraft

Alumacraft 1542 2002

2002

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Alumacraft

Alumacraft Dominator 165 CS 2006

2006

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Alumacraft 1542 2002 vs Alumacraft Dominator 165 CS 2006 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Alumacraft 1542 2002 vs Alumacraft Dominator 165 CS 2006 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 90 hp, the Alumacraft Dominator 165 CS 2006 has a 65-hp advantage over the Alumacraft 1542 2002's 25-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 Dominator 165 CS 2006 is rated for 5 passengers, while the Alumacraft 1542 2002 caps at 4. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Alumacraft Dominator 165 CS 2006 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Alumacraft Dominator 165 CS 2006 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 5 passengers and at 16,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Alumacraft 1542 2002 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

MakeAlumacraft

Model1542

ModelDominator 165 CS

Model Year2002

Model Year2006

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam62 in

Beam90 in. (2.28 m)

Beam - Meters1.57

Beam - Meters2.29

Beam - Inches62

Beam - Inches9

Weight - Detail226 lbs

Weight - Detail1,175 lbs. (534 kg)

Weight - kg102.51

Weight - kg532.97

Weight - lbs.226

Weight - lbs.1175

Height - Detail20 in

Height - Detailnot available

Height - Meters0.51

Height - Metersnot available

Height - Inches2

Height - Inchesnot available

Height [transom]15 in

Height [transom]20 in. (.51 m)

Length overall - Detail15 ft

Length overall - Detail16 ft. 7 in. (5.05 m)

Length overall - Meters4.57

Length overall - Meters5.05

Length overall - Inches18

Length overall - Inches199

Depth - Detailnot available

Depth - DetailMaximum: 42 in. (1.06 m) To floor: 21.4 in. (.54 m)

Depth - Centimetersnot available

Depth - Centimeters106.68

Depth - Inchesnot available

Depth - Inches42

Width [transom] - Detailnot available

Width [transom] - Detail90 in. (2.28 m)

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Meters5.05

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Feet16

Length - Inchesnot available

Length - Inches7

Body / Hull

Hull materialAluminum

Hull thicknessnot available

Hull thicknessBottom: .098 in. (2.4 mm) Sides: .080 in. (2.0 mm) 2XB Bow?2nd Plate: .080 in

Hull typenot available

Hull typeModified Vee

Engine and Drivetrain

Engine max25 hp w/Tiller Steering

Engine max90 hp (67 kw)

Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Detail23 gal. (87 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Litersnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Liters87.06

Fuel tank capacity - Galnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Gal23

Fuel typenot available

Fuel typeGas

Drive typenot available

Drive typeOutboard

Operational Info

Maximum people4 persons

Maximum people5

Maximum capacitynot available

Maximum capacity1,100 lbs. (499 kg)

Alumacraft 1542 2002 vs Alumacraft Dominator 165 CS 2006 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Alumacraft 1542 2002 or the Alumacraft Dominator 165 CS 2006?

For trailering, the Alumacraft 1542 2002 has the edge at 226 lbs dry weight versus 1 175 lbs for the Alumacraft Dominator 165 CS 2006. 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 Dominator 165 CS 2006 is rated to a maximum of 90 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Alumacraft 1542 2002 tops out at 25 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 1542 2002 is Coast Guard rated for 4 passengers, while the Alumacraft Dominator 165 CS 2006 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 1542 2002 measures 62" wide, compared to 9" for the Alumacraft Dominator 165 CS 2006. 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 1542 2002 and Alumacraft Dominator 165 CS 2006 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Alumacraft 1542 2002 and the Alumacraft Dominator 165 CS 2006 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 1542 2002 full specs ← Alumacraft Dominator 165 CS 2006 full specs