Alumacraft Classic 165 Tiller 2012 vs Alumacraft MV 1546 AW 2004 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Alumacraft Classic 165 Tiller 2012 or the Alumacraft MV 1546 AW 2004?

For trailering, the Alumacraft MV 1546 AW 2004 has the edge at 25 lbs dry weight versus 805 lbs for the Alumacraft Classic 165 Tiller 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.

Q: What is the maximum horsepower rating for these boats?

The Alumacraft Classic 165 Tiller 2012 has a documented max rating of 60 hp. Engine specifications for the Alumacraft MV 1546 AW 2004 were not available in our database — check the OEM spec sheet or manufacturer's website for confirmation.

Q: How many people can each boat hold?

The Alumacraft Classic 165 Tiller 2012 is Coast Guard rated for 5 passengers, while the Alumacraft MV 1546 AW 2004 is certified for 4. 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.

Q: Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Alumacraft Classic 165 Tiller 2012 measures 82" wide, compared to 65" for the Alumacraft MV 1546 AW 2004. 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.

Q: Are the Alumacraft Classic 165 Tiller 2012 and Alumacraft MV 1546 AW 2004 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Alumacraft Classic 165 Tiller 2012 and the Alumacraft MV 1546 AW 2004 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.

Boat Comparison

Alumacraft Classic 165 Tiller 2012 vs Alumacraft MV 1546 AW 2004

Alumacraft

Alumacraft Classic 165 Tiller 2012

2012

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Alumacraft

Alumacraft MV 1546 AW 2004

2004

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Alumacraft Classic 165 Tiller 2012 vs Alumacraft MV 1546 AW 2004 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Alumacraft Classic 165 Tiller 2012 vs Alumacraft MV 1546 AW 2004 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 Alumacraft Classic 165 Tiller 2012 carries a rated maximum of 60 hp. Engine data for the Alumacraft MV 1546 AW 2004 wasn't available in our records — check the manufacturer's spec sheet before sizing a motor.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Alumacraft Classic 165 Tiller 2012 is rated for 5 passengers, while the Alumacraft MV 1546 AW 2004 caps at 4. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Alumacraft Classic 165 Tiller 2012 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Alumacraft Classic 165 Tiller 2012 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 5 passengers and at 16,3 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Alumacraft MV 1546 AW 2004 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

ModelClassic 165 Tiller

ModelMV 1546 AW

Model Year2012

Model Year2004

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam82 in. (2.1 m)

Beam65 in

Beam - Meters2.08

Beam - Meters1.65

Beam - Inches82

Beam - Inches65

Depth - Detail35 in. (0.89 m) To Floor: 21 in. (0.53 m)

Depth - Detailnot available

Depth - Centimeters88.9

Depth - Centimetersnot available

Depth - Inches35

Depth - Inchesnot available

Weight - Detail805 lbs. (365 kg)

Weight - Detail250 lbs

Weight - kg365.14

Weight - kg113.4

Weight - lbs.805

Weight - lbs.25

Width [transom] - Detail82 in. (2.1 m)

Width [transom] - Detailnot available

Height [transom]20 in. (0.51 m)

Height [transom]15 in

Length - Feet16.33

Length - Feetnot available

Length overall - Detail16 ft. 4 in. (5.0 m)

Length overall - Detail15 ft

Length overall - Meters4.98

Length overall - Meters4.57

Length overall - Inches196

Length overall - Inches18

Draft [drive up] - Detailnot available

Draft [drive up] - DetailN/A

Height - Detailnot available

Height - Detail20 in

Height - Metersnot available

Height - Meters0.51

Height - Inchesnot available

Height - Inches2

Body / Hull

Hull materialAluminum

Hull thicknessBottom: 0.080 in. (2 mm) Sides: 0.065 in. (1.65 mm)

Hull thicknessnot available

Hull typeDeep Vee

Hull typenot available

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail19 gal. (72 l)

Fuel tank capacity - DetailN/A

Fuel tank capacity - Liters71.92

Fuel tank capacity - Litersnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Gal19

Fuel tank capacity - Galnot available

Fuel typeGas

Fuel typenot available

Drive typeOutboard

Drive typenot available

Engine max60 hp (44 kW)

Engine maxnot available

Engine/s standardnot available

Engine/s standard25 hp

Operational Info

StorageBow Livewell: 34 gal. (128 l)

Storagenot available

Maximum capacity1,295 lbs. (587 kg)

Maximum capacitynot available

Maximum people5

Maximum people4 persons

Water capacitynot available

Water capacityN/A

Trailer Info

Trailer - Detailnot available

Trailer - DetailN/A

Alumacraft Classic 165 Tiller 2012 vs Alumacraft MV 1546 AW 2004 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Alumacraft Classic 165 Tiller 2012 or the Alumacraft MV 1546 AW 2004?

For trailering, the Alumacraft MV 1546 AW 2004 has the edge at 25 lbs dry weight versus 805 lbs for the Alumacraft Classic 165 Tiller 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.

What is the maximum horsepower rating for these boats?

The Alumacraft Classic 165 Tiller 2012 has a documented max rating of 60 hp. Engine specifications for the Alumacraft MV 1546 AW 2004 were not available in our database — check the OEM spec sheet or manufacturer's website for confirmation.

How many people can each boat hold?

The Alumacraft Classic 165 Tiller 2012 is Coast Guard rated for 5 passengers, while the Alumacraft MV 1546 AW 2004 is certified for 4. 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 Classic 165 Tiller 2012 measures 82" wide, compared to 65" for the Alumacraft MV 1546 AW 2004. 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 Classic 165 Tiller 2012 and Alumacraft MV 1546 AW 2004 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Alumacraft Classic 165 Tiller 2012 and the Alumacraft MV 1546 AW 2004 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.

← Alumacraft Classic 165 Tiller 2012 full specs ← Alumacraft MV 1546 AW 2004 full specs