Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Alumacraft 1648 NCS 2004 vs Alumacraft VS170 2009 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The Alumacraft 1648 NCS 2004 vs Alumacraft VS170 2009 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 70 hp, the Alumacraft VS170 2009 has a 35-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 1648 NCS 2004 is rated for 5 passengers, while the Alumacraft VS170 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 1648 NCS 2004 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Alumacraft 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 VS170 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
MakeAlumacraft
Model Year2004
Model Year2009
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam70 in
Beam74 in. (1.88 m) Bottom: 52 in. (1.32 m)
Beam - Meters1.78
Beam - Meters1.88
Beam - Inches7
Beam - Inches74
Weight - Detail260 lbs
Weight - Detail852 lbs. (386 kg)
Weight - kg117.93
Weight - kg386.46
Weight - lbs.26
Weight - lbs.852
Height - Detail21 in
Height - Detailnot available
Height - Meters0.53
Height - Metersnot available
Height - Inches21
Height - Inchesnot available
Height [transom]15 in
Height [transom]22 in. (0.56 m)
Length overall - Detail16 ft
Length overall - Detail17 ft. (5.18 m)
Length overall - Meters4.88
Length overall - Meters5.18
Length overall - Inches192
Length overall - Inches204
Depth - Detailnot available
Depth - Detail22 in. (0.56 m)
Depth - Centimetersnot available
Depth - Centimeters55.88
Depth - Inchesnot available
Depth - Inches22
Width [transom] - Detailnot available
Width [transom] - Detail74 in. (1.88 m)
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Meters5.18
Length - Feetnot available
Length - Feet17
Body / Hull
Hull materialAluminum
Hull materialAluminum
Hull thicknessnot available
Hull thickness0.102 in. (2.5 mm)
Hull typenot available
Hull typeModified Vee
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine max35 hp w/Tiller Steering
Engine max70 hp (51 kw)
Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Detail16 gal. (60 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Litersnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Liters60.57
Fuel tank capacity - Galnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Gal16
Fuel typenot available
Fuel typeGas
Drive typenot available
Drive typeOutboard
Operational Info
Maximum people5 persons
Maximum people4
Maximum capacitynot available
Maximum capacity1,100 lbs. (499 kg)