Alumacraft All-Weld VB 1860 AW Tunnel 2012 boat specs
Alumacraft
Alumacraft All-Weld VB 1860 AW Tunnel 2012
2012
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VS
Alumacraft Competitor 185 Sport 2013 boat specs
Alumacraft
Alumacraft Competitor 185 Sport 2013
2013
View full specs →

Alumacraft All-Weld VB 1860 AW Tunnel 2012 vs Alumacraft Competitor 185 Sport 2013 — Same Brand, Different Boat

Matching a tunnel Alumacraft All-Weld VB 1860 AW Tunnel 2012 against a deep vee Alumacraft Competitor 185 Sport 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 2012 at 18,0 ft versus Alumacraft Competitor 185 Sport 2013 at 18,7 ft. At 68 lbs and 15 lbs respectively, both sit in a similar weight class — either should pair comfortably with most mid-size SUVs and half-ton trucks, though always confirm your specific tow rating with the motor added.

The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 150 hp, the Alumacraft Competitor 185 Sport 2013 has a 100-hp advantage over the Alumacraft All-Weld VB 1860 AW Tunnel 2012's 50-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load.

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.

Bottom line: Performance buyers should lean toward the Alumacraft Competitor 185 Sport 2013 and its 150-hp ceiling. If fuel economy and quieter running matter more than top-end speed, the Alumacraft All-Weld VB 1860 AW Tunnel 2012 with its 50-hp rating is the more economical daily driver.
General Boat Info
MakeAlumacraft
MakeAlumacraft
ModelAll-Weld VB 1860 AW Tunnel
ModelCompetitor 185 Sport
Model Year2012
Model Year2013
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam86 in
Beam95 in. (2.41 m)
Beam - Meters2.18
Beam - Meters2.41
Beam - Inches86
Beam - Inches95
Weight - Detail680 lbs
Weight - Detail1,500 lbs. (680 kg)
Weight - kg308.44
Weight - kg680.39
Weight - lbs.68
Weight - lbs.15
Height - Detail25 in
Height - Detailnot available
Height - Meters0.64
Height - Metersnot available
Height - Inches25
Height - Inchesnot available
Height [transom]21 in
Height [transom]25 in. (0.63 m)
Length - Feet18
Length - Feet18.67
Length overall - Detail18 ft
Length overall - Detail18 ft. 8 in. (5.6 m)
Length overall - Meters5.49
Length overall - Meters5.69
Length overall - Inches216
Length overall - Inches224
Depth - Detailnot available
Depth - Detail43 - 23 in. (1.09 - 0.58 m) max to floor
Depth - Centimetersnot available
Depth - Centimeters58.42
Depth - Inchesnot available
Depth - Inches23
Width [transom] - Detailnot available
Width [transom] - Detail93 in. (2.36 m)
Body / Hull
Hull materialAluminum
Hull materialAluminum
Hull thickness0.102 in
Hull thickness0.080 in. (2 mm)
Hull typeTunnel
Hull typeDeep Vee
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typeGas
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeOutboard
Engine max50 hp With Max Persons: 74 hp
Engine max150 hp (111 kW)
Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Detail34 gal. (128 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Litersnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Liters128.7
Fuel tank capacity - Galnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Gal34
Operational Info
Maximum capacity1,600 lbs
Maximum capacity1,600 lbs. (726 kg)
Maximum people6
Maximum people6
Storagenot available
StorageBow Livewell: 13 gal. (49 l) Aft Livewell: 21 gal. (79 l)

Alumacraft All-Weld VB 1860 AW Tunnel 2012 vs Alumacraft Competitor 185 Sport 2013 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Alumacraft All-Weld VB 1860 AW Tunnel 2012 or the Alumacraft Competitor 185 Sport 2013?
The Alumacraft Competitor 185 Sport 2013 is the longer of the two at 18,7 feet overall. The Alumacraft All-Weld VB 1860 AW Tunnel 2012 comes in at 18,0 feet, making it roughly 0,7 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.
Which is easier to trailer — the Alumacraft All-Weld VB 1860 AW Tunnel 2012 or the Alumacraft Competitor 185 Sport 2013?
For trailering, the Alumacraft Competitor 185 Sport 2013 has the edge at 15 lbs dry weight versus 68 lbs for the Alumacraft All-Weld VB 1860 AW Tunnel 2012. 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 Competitor 185 Sport 2013 is rated to a maximum of 150 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Alumacraft All-Weld VB 1860 AW Tunnel 2012 tops out at 50 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 All-Weld VB 1860 AW Tunnel 2012 is Coast Guard rated for 6 passengers, while the Alumacraft Competitor 185 Sport 2013 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 Competitor 185 Sport 2013 measures 95" wide, compared to 86" for the Alumacraft All-Weld VB 1860 AW Tunnel 2012. 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 All-Weld VB 1860 AW Tunnel 2012 and Alumacraft Competitor 185 Sport 2013 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Alumacraft All-Weld VB 1860 AW Tunnel 2012 and the Alumacraft Competitor 185 Sport 2013 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.