When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Alumacraft 1542 2010 and the Alumacraft Sierra 1436 LT 2012 are flat designs with aluminum construction — the buying decision usually comes down to a handful of practical questions: how many people are you putting on the water, how far do you trailer, and what does your tow vehicle weigh?
On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Alumacraft 1542 2010 at 15,0 ft versus Alumacraft Sierra 1436 LT 2012 at 14,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Alumacraft Sierra 1436 LT 2012 tips the scales at 135 lbs — 114 lbs less than the Alumacraft 1542 2010 at 21 lbs. That difference is meaningful if you're working within a half-ton or three-quarter-ton truck's tow rating, especially once you factor in a motor, gear, and fuel.
The Alumacraft Sierra 1436 LT 2012 tops out at 15 hp. Engine specs for the Alumacraft 1542 2010 aren't listed — confirm with a dealer before selecting an outboard.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Alumacraft 1542 2010 is rated for 4 passengers, while the Alumacraft Sierra 1436 LT 2012 caps at 3. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Alumacraft 1542 2010 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Alumacraft 1542 2010 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 4 passengers and at 15,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Alumacraft Sierra 1436 LT 2012 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 3 that costs less to run day-to-day.