Alumacraft Competitior 185 CS 2011 vs Alumacraft MV 1542 NCS 2004 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Alumacraft Competitior 185 CS 2011 or the Alumacraft MV 1542 NCS 2004?

For trailering, the Alumacraft MV 1542 NCS 2004 has the edge at 23 lbs dry weight versus 142 lbs for the Alumacraft Competitior 185 CS 2011. 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: Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Alumacraft Competitior 185 CS 2011 is rated to a maximum of 150 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Alumacraft MV 1542 NCS 2004 tops out at 25 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.

Q: How many people can each boat hold?

The Alumacraft Competitior 185 CS 2011 is Coast Guard rated for 6 passengers, while the Alumacraft MV 1542 NCS 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 Competitior 185 CS 2011 measures 95" wide, compared to 62" for the Alumacraft MV 1542 NCS 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 Competitior 185 CS 2011 and Alumacraft MV 1542 NCS 2004 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Alumacraft Competitior 185 CS 2011 and the Alumacraft MV 1542 NCS 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 Competitior 185 CS 2011 vs Alumacraft MV 1542 NCS 2004

Alumacraft

Alumacraft Competitior 185 CS 2011

2011

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Alumacraft

Alumacraft MV 1542 NCS 2004

2004

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Alumacraft Competitior 185 CS 2011 vs Alumacraft MV 1542 NCS 2004 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Alumacraft Competitior 185 CS 2011 vs Alumacraft MV 1542 NCS 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 power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 150 hp, the Alumacraft Competitior 185 CS 2011 has a 125-hp advantage over the Alumacraft MV 1542 NCS 2004's 25-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Alumacraft Competitior 185 CS 2011 is rated for 6 passengers, while the Alumacraft MV 1542 NCS 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 Competitior 185 CS 2011 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Alumacraft Competitior 185 CS 2011 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 6 passengers and at 18,7 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Alumacraft MV 1542 NCS 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

ModelCompetitior 185 CS

ModelMV 1542 NCS

Model Year2011

Model Year2004

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam95 in. (2.41 m)

Beam62 in

Beam - Meters2.41

Beam - Meters1.57

Beam - Inches95

Beam - Inches62

Depth - Detail43 in. (1.09 m) To Floor: 23 in. (0.58 m)

Depth - Detailnot available

Depth - Centimeters109.22

Depth - Centimetersnot available

Depth - Inches43

Depth - Inchesnot available

Weight - Detail1,420 lbs. (583 kg)

Weight - Detail230 lbs

Weight - kg644.1

Weight - kg104.33

Weight - lbs.142

Weight - lbs.23

Width [transom] - Detail93 in. (2.36 m)

Width [transom] - Detailnot available

Height [transom]25 in. (0.64 m)

Height [transom]15 in

Length - Feet18.67

Length - Feetnot available

Length overall - Detail18 ft. 8 in. (5.38 m)

Length overall - Detail15 ft

Length overall - Meters5.69

Length overall - Meters4.57

Length overall - Inches224

Length overall - Inches18

Height - Detailnot available

Height - Detail20 in

Height - Metersnot available

Height - Meters0.51

Height - Inchesnot available

Height - Inches2

Body / Hull

Hull materialAluminum

Hull thicknessBottom and Sides: 0.080 in. (2 mm)

Hull thicknessnot available

Hull typeDeep Vee

Hull typenot available

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail38 gal. (144 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Liters143.85

Fuel tank capacity - Litersnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Gal38

Fuel tank capacity - Galnot available

Fuel typeGas

Fuel typenot available

Drive typeOutboard

Drive typenot available

Engine max150 hp (112 kW)

Engine max25 hp w/Tiller Steering

Operational Info

StorageBow Livewell: 22 gal. (83.3 l) Aft Livewell: 21 gal. (71 l)

Storagenot available

Maximum capacity1,600 lbs. (725 kg)

Maximum capacitynot available

Maximum people6

Maximum people4 persons

Alumacraft Competitior 185 CS 2011 vs Alumacraft MV 1542 NCS 2004 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Alumacraft Competitior 185 CS 2011 or the Alumacraft MV 1542 NCS 2004?

For trailering, the Alumacraft MV 1542 NCS 2004 has the edge at 23 lbs dry weight versus 142 lbs for the Alumacraft Competitior 185 CS 2011. 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 Competitior 185 CS 2011 is rated to a maximum of 150 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Alumacraft MV 1542 NCS 2004 tops out at 25 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 Competitior 185 CS 2011 is Coast Guard rated for 6 passengers, while the Alumacraft MV 1542 NCS 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 Competitior 185 CS 2011 measures 95" wide, compared to 62" for the Alumacraft MV 1542 NCS 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 Competitior 185 CS 2011 and Alumacraft MV 1542 NCS 2004 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Alumacraft Competitior 185 CS 2011 and the Alumacraft MV 1542 NCS 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 Competitior 185 CS 2011 full specs ← Alumacraft MV 1542 NCS 2004 full specs