Alumacraft Competitor 165 CS 2013 vs Alumacraft Invader 185 2002 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Alumacraft Competitor 165 CS 2013 or the Alumacraft Invader 185 2002?

For trailering, the Alumacraft Invader 185 2002 has the edge at 13 lbs dry weight versus 96 lbs for the Alumacraft Competitor 165 CS 2013. 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 Invader 185 2002 is rated to a maximum of 135 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Alumacraft Competitor 165 CS 2013 tops out at 90 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 Competitor 165 CS 2013 is Coast Guard rated for 6 passengers, while the Alumacraft Invader 185 2002 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 Invader 185 2002 measures 92" wide, compared to 87" for the Alumacraft Competitor 165 CS 2013. 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: Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Alumacraft Competitor 165 CS 2013 or the Alumacraft Invader 185 2002?

The Alumacraft Invader 185 2002 has the bigger tank at 27 gallons, versus 17 gallons on the Alumacraft Competitor 165 CS 2013. That 10-gallon difference translates to roughly 30–50 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Alumacraft Competitor 165 CS 2013 and Alumacraft Invader 185 2002 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Alumacraft Competitor 165 CS 2013 and the Alumacraft Invader 185 2002 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 Competitor 165 CS 2013 vs Alumacraft Invader 185 2002

Alumacraft

Alumacraft Competitor 165 CS 2013

2013

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Alumacraft

Alumacraft Invader 185 2002

2002

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Alumacraft Competitor 165 CS 2013 vs Alumacraft Invader 185 2002 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Alumacraft Competitor 165 CS 2013 vs Alumacraft Invader 185 2002 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 135 hp, the Alumacraft Invader 185 2002 has a 45-hp advantage over the Alumacraft Competitor 165 CS 2013's 90-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 Invader 185 2002 carries 27 gallons versus 17 gallons in the Alumacraft Competitor 165 CS 2013. 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 Competitor 165 CS 2013 is rated for 6 passengers, while the Alumacraft Invader 185 2002 caps at 4. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Alumacraft Competitor 165 CS 2013 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Alumacraft Competitor 165 CS 2013 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 6 passengers and at 16,6 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Alumacraft Invader 185 2002 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

ModelCompetitor 165 CS

ModelInvader 185

Model Year2013

Model Year2002

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam87 in. (2.2 m)

Beam92"

Beam - Meters2.21

Beam - Meters2.34

Beam - Inches87

Beam - Inches92

Depth - Detail35 - 23 in. (0.89 - 0.58 m) max to floor

Depth - Detailnot available

Depth - Centimeters58.42

Depth - Centimetersnot available

Depth - Inches23

Depth - Inchesnot available

Weight - Detail960 lbs. (435 kg)

Weight - Detail1300 lbs

Weight - kg435.45

Weight - kg589.67

Weight - lbs.96

Weight - lbs.13

Width [transom] - Detail87 in. (2.2 m)

Width [transom] - Detailnot available

Height [transom]20 in. (0.51 m)

Height [transom]22"

Length - Feet16.58

Length - Feetnot available

Length overall - Detail16 ft. 7 in. (5 m)

Length overall - Detail18' 4"

Length overall - Meters5.05

Length overall - Meters5.49

Length overall - Inches199

Length overall - Inches216

Height - Detailnot available

Height - Detail23"

Height - Metersnot available

Height - Meters0.58

Height - Inchesnot available

Height - Inches23

Body / Hull

Hull materialAluminum

Hull thickness0.080 in. (2 mm) bottom 0.065 in. (1.65 mm) side

Hull thicknessnot available

Hull typeDeep Vee

Hull typenot available

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail17 gal. (64 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail27 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Liters64.35

Fuel tank capacity - Liters102.21

Fuel tank capacity - Gal17

Fuel tank capacity - Gal27

Fuel typeGas

Fuel typenot available

Drive typeOutboard

Drive typenot available

Engine max90 hp (67 kW)

Engine max135 HP

Operational Info

StorageAft Livewell: 19 gal. (72 l)

Storagenot available

Maximum capacity1,325 lbs. (601 kg)

Maximum capacitynot available

Maximum people6

Maximum people4 persons

Alumacraft Competitor 165 CS 2013 vs Alumacraft Invader 185 2002 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Alumacraft Competitor 165 CS 2013 or the Alumacraft Invader 185 2002?

For trailering, the Alumacraft Invader 185 2002 has the edge at 13 lbs dry weight versus 96 lbs for the Alumacraft Competitor 165 CS 2013. 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 Invader 185 2002 is rated to a maximum of 135 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Alumacraft Competitor 165 CS 2013 tops out at 90 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 Competitor 165 CS 2013 is Coast Guard rated for 6 passengers, while the Alumacraft Invader 185 2002 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 Invader 185 2002 measures 92" wide, compared to 87" for the Alumacraft Competitor 165 CS 2013. 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.

Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Alumacraft Competitor 165 CS 2013 or the Alumacraft Invader 185 2002?

The Alumacraft Invader 185 2002 has the bigger tank at 27 gallons, versus 17 gallons on the Alumacraft Competitor 165 CS 2013. That 10-gallon difference translates to roughly 30–50 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Alumacraft Competitor 165 CS 2013 and Alumacraft Invader 185 2002 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Alumacraft Competitor 165 CS 2013 and the Alumacraft Invader 185 2002 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 Competitor 165 CS 2013 full specs ← Alumacraft Invader 185 2002 full specs