When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Alumacraft All-Weld MV 1860 AW CC 2011 and the Alumacraft MV 1860 AW Special 2006 are modified vee 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 All-Weld MV 1860 AW CC 2011 at 18,0 ft versus Alumacraft MV 1860 AW Special 2006 at 18,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Alumacraft All-Weld MV 1860 AW CC 2011 tips the scales at 905 lbs — 800 lbs more than the Alumacraft MV 1860 AW Special 2006 at 105 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.

Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling — 115 hp for the Alumacraft All-Weld MV 1860 AW CC 2011 and 115 hp for the Alumacraft MV 1860 AW Special 2006. Real-world performance will come down more to which motor is actually bolted on, its load at the time, and whether it's a 4-stroke or 2-stroke setup. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Alumacraft All-Weld MV 1860 AW CC 2011 carries 21 gallons versus 16 gallons in the Alumacraft MV 1860 AW Special 2006. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.

Both boats are rated for 6 passengers — a good fit for a family of four or five plus guests. Comfort at capacity is another matter; the longer hull typically means more seat options and better weight distribution.

At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Alumacraft MV 1860 AW Special 2006 comes in at 1 lbs per hp versus 8 lbs per hp for the Alumacraft All-Weld MV 1860 AW CC 2011. The lower the ratio the more explosive the acceleration — meaningful on a short RIB where bursts of speed, quick planing, and agility in surf or tight waterways define the experience.