Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Alumacraft Competitior 185 Sport 2011 vs Alumacraft VB 1756 AW Tunnel 2009 — Same Brand, Different Boat
Matching a deep vee Alumacraft Competitior 185 Sport 2011 against a flat Alumacraft VB 1756 AW Tunnel 2009 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 Competitior 185 Sport 2011 at 18,7 ft versus Alumacraft VB 1756 AW Tunnel 2009 at 17,0 ft. At 15 lbs and 6 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 Competitior 185 Sport 2011 has a 100-hp advantage over the Alumacraft VB 1756 AW Tunnel 2009's 50-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 Sport 2011 is rated for 6 passengers, while the Alumacraft VB 1756 AW Tunnel 2009 caps at 5. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Alumacraft Competitior 185 Sport 2011 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Alumacraft Competitior 185 Sport 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 VB 1756 AW Tunnel 2009 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 5 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
MakeAlumacraft
MakeAlumacraft
ModelCompetitior 185 Sport
ModelVB 1756 AW Tunnel
Model Year2011
Model Year2009
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam95 in. (2.41 m)
Beam83 in
Beam - Meters2.41
Beam - Meters2.11
Beam - Inches95
Beam - Inches83
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 - Detail1,500 lbs. (680 kg)
Weight - Detail600 lbs
Weight - kg680.39
Weight - kg272.16
Weight - lbs.15
Weight - lbs.6
Width [transom] - Detail93 in. (2.36 m)
Width [transom] - Detail56 in
Height [transom]25 in. (0.64 m)
Height [transom]21 in
Length - Feet18.67
Length - Feet17
Length overall - Detail18 ft. 8 in. (5.38 m)
Length overall - Detail17 ft
Length overall - Meters5.69
Length overall - Meters5.18
Length overall - Inches224
Length overall - Inches204
Height - Detailnot available
Height - Detail24 in
Height - Metersnot available
Height - Meters0.61
Height - Inchesnot available
Height - Inches24
Body / Hull
Hull materialAluminum
Hull materialAluminum
Hull thicknessBottom and Sides: 0.080 in. (2 mm)
Hull thickness0.102 in
Hull typeDeep Vee
Hull typeFlat
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
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeOutboard
Engine max150 hp (112 kW)
Engine max50 hp
Operational Info
StorageBow Livewell: 22 gal. (83.3 l) Aft Livewell: 21 gal. (71 l)
Storagenot available
Maximum capacity1,600 lbs. (725 kg)
Maximum capacity1,300 lbs
Maximum people6
Maximum people5