Matching a tunnel Alumacraft All-Weld VB 1860 AW Tunnel SC 2011 against a deep vee Alumacraft Competitor 165 Tiller 2013 means you're likely deciding between two genuinely different on-water experiences. Hull type shapes everything from ride quality and fuel burn to dock handling and resale trajectory.
On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Alumacraft All-Weld VB 1860 AW Tunnel SC 2011 at 18,0 ft versus Alumacraft Competitor 165 Tiller 2013 at 16,6 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Alumacraft All-Weld VB 1860 AW Tunnel SC 2011 tips the scales at 875 lbs — 783 lbs more than the Alumacraft Competitor 165 Tiller 2013 at 92 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 — 90 hp for the Alumacraft All-Weld VB 1860 AW Tunnel SC 2011 and 70 hp for the Alumacraft Competitor 165 Tiller 2013. 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 VB 1860 AW Tunnel SC 2011 carries 21 gallons versus 17 gallons in the Alumacraft Competitor 165 Tiller 2013. 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 Competitor 165 Tiller 2013 comes in at 1 lbs per hp versus 10 lbs per hp for the Alumacraft All-Weld VB 1860 AW Tunnel SC 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.
Bottom line: Performance buyers should lean toward the Alumacraft All-Weld VB 1860 AW Tunnel SC 2011 and its 90-hp ceiling. If fuel economy and quieter running matter more than top-end speed, the Alumacraft Competitor 165 Tiller 2013 with its 70-hp rating is the more economical daily driver.