Alumacraft 1542 2009 vs Alumacraft MV 1648 NCS 2004 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Alumacraft 1542 2009 or the Alumacraft MV 1648 NCS 2004?

For trailering, the Alumacraft 1542 2009 has the edge at 21 lbs dry weight versus 34 lbs for the Alumacraft MV 1648 NCS 2004. 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 1542 2009 is Coast Guard rated for 4 passengers, while the Alumacraft MV 1648 NCS 2004 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 2009 measures 62" wide, compared to 48" for the Alumacraft MV 1648 NCS 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 1542 2009 and Alumacraft MV 1648 NCS 2004 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Alumacraft 1542 2009 and the Alumacraft MV 1648 NCS 2004 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 2009 vs Alumacraft MV 1648 NCS 2004

Alumacraft

Alumacraft 1542 2009

2009

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Alumacraft

Alumacraft MV 1648 NCS 2004

2004

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Alumacraft 1542 2009 vs Alumacraft MV 1648 NCS 2004 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Alumacraft 1542 2009 vs Alumacraft MV 1648 NCS 2004 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 MV 1648 NCS 2004 is rated for 5 passengers, while the Alumacraft 1542 2009 caps at 4. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Alumacraft MV 1648 NCS 2004 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Alumacraft MV 1648 NCS 2004 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 1542 2009 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

ModelMV 1648 NCS

Model Year2009

Model Year2004

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam62 in

Beam48 in

Beam - Meters1.57

Beam - Meters1.22

Beam - Inches62

Beam - Inches48

Weight - Detail210 lbs

Weight - Detail340 lbs

Weight - kg95.25

Weight - kg154.22

Weight - lbs.21

Weight - lbs.34

Width [transom] - Detail42 in

Width [transom] - Detailnot available

Height - Detail20 in

Height - Detailnot available

Height - Meters0.51

Height - Metersnot available

Height - Inches2

Height - Inchesnot available

Height [transom]15 in

Height [transom]not available

Length - Feet15

Length - Feetnot available

Length overall - Detail15 ft

Length overall - Detail16 ft

Length overall - Meters4.57

Length overall - Meters4.88

Length overall - Inches18

Length overall - Inches192

Draft [drive up] - Detailnot available

Draft [drive up] - DetailN/A

Body / Hull

Hull materialAluminum

Hull thickness0.063 in

Hull thicknessnot available

Hull typeFlat

Hull typenot available

Engine and Drivetrain

Engine/s standard25 hp

Engine/s standard40 hp

Fuel typeGas

Fuel typenot available

Drive typeOutboard

Drive typenot available

Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available

Fuel tank capacity - DetailN/A

Operational Info

Maximum capacity775 lbs

Maximum capacitynot available

Maximum people4

Maximum people5 persons

Water capacitynot available

Water capacityN/A

Trailer Info

Trailer - Detailnot available

Trailer - DetailN/A

Alumacraft 1542 2009 vs Alumacraft MV 1648 NCS 2004 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Alumacraft 1542 2009 or the Alumacraft MV 1648 NCS 2004?

For trailering, the Alumacraft 1542 2009 has the edge at 21 lbs dry weight versus 34 lbs for the Alumacraft MV 1648 NCS 2004. 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 1542 2009 is Coast Guard rated for 4 passengers, while the Alumacraft MV 1648 NCS 2004 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 2009 measures 62" wide, compared to 48" for the Alumacraft MV 1648 NCS 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 1542 2009 and Alumacraft MV 1648 NCS 2004 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Alumacraft 1542 2009 and the Alumacraft MV 1648 NCS 2004 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 2009 full specs ← Alumacraft MV 1648 NCS 2004 full specs