Alumacraft 1648 NCS 2004 vs Alumacraft Navigator 185 CS 2005 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Alumacraft 1648 NCS 2004 or the Alumacraft Navigator 185 CS 2005?

For trailering, the Alumacraft 1648 NCS 2004 has the edge at 26 lbs dry weight versus 1 351 lbs for the Alumacraft Navigator 185 CS 2005. 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 Navigator 185 CS 2005 is rated to a maximum of 150 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Alumacraft 1648 NCS 2004 tops out at 35 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 1648 NCS 2004 is Coast Guard rated for 5 passengers, while the Alumacraft Navigator 185 CS 2005 is certified for 6. 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 185 CS 2005 measures 96" wide, compared to 7" for the Alumacraft 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 1648 NCS 2004 and Alumacraft Navigator 185 CS 2005 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Alumacraft 1648 NCS 2004 and the Alumacraft Navigator 185 CS 2005 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 1648 NCS 2004 vs Alumacraft Navigator 185 CS 2005

Alumacraft

Alumacraft 1648 NCS 2004

2004

View full specs →

Alumacraft

Alumacraft Navigator 185 CS 2005

2005

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Alumacraft 1648 NCS 2004 vs Alumacraft Navigator 185 CS 2005 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Alumacraft 1648 NCS 2004 vs Alumacraft Navigator 185 CS 2005 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 150 hp, the Alumacraft Navigator 185 CS 2005 has a 115-hp advantage over the Alumacraft 1648 NCS 2004's 35-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 Navigator 185 CS 2005 is rated for 6 passengers, while the Alumacraft 1648 NCS 2004 caps at 5. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Alumacraft Navigator 185 CS 2005 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Alumacraft Navigator 185 CS 2005 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 6 passengers and at 18,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Alumacraft 1648 NCS 2004 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 5 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeAlumacraft

Model1648 NCS

ModelNavigator 185 CS

Model Year2004

Model Year2005

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam70 in

Beam96 in. (2.44 m)

Beam - Meters1.78

Beam - Meters2.44

Beam - Inches7

Beam - Inches96

Weight - Detail260 lbs

Weight - Detail1351 lbs. (613 kg)

Weight - kg117.93

Weight - kg612.8

Weight - lbs.26

Weight - lbs.1351

Height - Detail21 in

Height - Detailnot available

Height - Meters0.53

Height - Metersnot available

Height - Inches21

Height - Inchesnot available

Height [transom]15 in

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

Length overall - Detail16 ft

Length overall - Detail18 ft. 7 in. (5.66 m)

Length overall - Meters4.88

Length overall - Meters5.66

Length overall - Inches192

Length overall - Inches223

Depth - Detailnot available

Depth - Detail39 in. (.99 m) Maximum to floor: 22 in. (.56 m)

Depth - Centimetersnot available

Depth - Centimeters99.06

Depth - Inchesnot available

Depth - Inches39

Width [transom] - Detailnot available

Width [transom] - Detail93 in. (2.36 m)

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Meters5.66

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Feet18

Length - Inchesnot available

Length - Inches7

Body / Hull

Hull materialAluminum

Hull materialnot available

Hull thicknessnot available

Hull thicknessBottom: .098 in. (2.5 mm) Sides: .80 in. (2.0 mm) 2XB Bow?2nd plate: .098 in. 2XB Bottom?2nd plate: .080 in

Engine and Drivetrain

Engine max35 hp w/Tiller Steering

Engine max150 hp (111 kw)

Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Detail40 gal. (151 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Litersnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Liters151.42

Fuel tank capacity - Galnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Gal4

Operational Info

Maximum people5 persons

Maximum people6

Alumacraft 1648 NCS 2004 vs Alumacraft Navigator 185 CS 2005 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Alumacraft 1648 NCS 2004 or the Alumacraft Navigator 185 CS 2005?

For trailering, the Alumacraft 1648 NCS 2004 has the edge at 26 lbs dry weight versus 1 351 lbs for the Alumacraft Navigator 185 CS 2005. 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 Navigator 185 CS 2005 is rated to a maximum of 150 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Alumacraft 1648 NCS 2004 tops out at 35 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 1648 NCS 2004 is Coast Guard rated for 5 passengers, while the Alumacraft Navigator 185 CS 2005 is certified for 6. 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 185 CS 2005 measures 96" wide, compared to 7" for the Alumacraft 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 1648 NCS 2004 and Alumacraft Navigator 185 CS 2005 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Alumacraft 1648 NCS 2004 and the Alumacraft Navigator 185 CS 2005 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 1648 NCS 2004 full specs ← Alumacraft Navigator 185 CS 2005 full specs