Matching a deep vee Alumacraft Classic 165 CS 2008 against a modified vee Alumacraft MV 1860 AW Special 2006 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 Classic 165 CS 2008 at 16,0 ft versus Alumacraft MV 1860 AW Special 2006 at 18,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Alumacraft Classic 165 CS 2008 tips the scales at 912 lbs — 807 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.
The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 115 hp, the Alumacraft MV 1860 AW Special 2006 has a 40-hp advantage over the Alumacraft Classic 165 CS 2008's 75-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Alumacraft MV 1860 AW Special 2006 carries 16 gallons versus 2 gallons in the Alumacraft Classic 165 CS 2008. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Alumacraft MV 1860 AW Special 2006 is rated for 6 passengers, while the Alumacraft Classic 165 CS 2008 caps at 5. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Alumacraft MV 1860 AW Special 2006 could be the deciding factor.
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 12 lbs per hp for the Alumacraft Classic 165 CS 2008. 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: Choose the Alumacraft MV 1860 AW Special 2006 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 Classic 165 CS 2008 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 5 that costs less to run day-to-day.