Alumacraft Competitor 165 Tiller 2012 boat specs
Alumacraft
Alumacraft Competitor 165 Tiller 2012
2012
View full specs →
VS
Alumacraft MV 1860 AW   2010 boat specs
Alumacraft
Alumacraft MV 1860 AW 2010
2010
View full specs →

Alumacraft Competitor 165 Tiller 2012 vs Alumacraft MV 1860 AW 2010 — Same Brand, Different Boat

Matching a deep vee Alumacraft Competitor 165 Tiller 2012 against a modified vee Alumacraft MV 1860 AW 2010 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 Competitor 165 Tiller 2012 at 16,6 ft versus Alumacraft MV 1860 AW 2010 at 18,0 ft. At 92 lbs and 68 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.

Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling — 70 hp for the Alumacraft Competitor 165 Tiller 2012 and 50 hp for the Alumacraft MV 1860 AW 2010. Real-world performance will come down more to which motor is actually bolted on, its load at the time, and whether it's a 4-stroke or 2-stroke setup.

Both boats are rated for 6 passengers — a good fit for a family of four or five plus guests. Comfort at capacity is another matter; the longer hull typically means more seat options and better weight distribution.

At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Alumacraft Competitor 165 Tiller 2012 comes in at 1 lbs per hp versus 1 lbs per hp for the Alumacraft MV 1860 AW 2010. 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: Performance buyers should lean toward the Alumacraft Competitor 165 Tiller 2012 and its 70-hp ceiling. If fuel economy and quieter running matter more than top-end speed, the Alumacraft MV 1860 AW 2010 with its 50-hp rating is the more economical daily driver.
General Boat Info
MakeAlumacraft
MakeAlumacraft
ModelCompetitor 165 Tiller
ModelMV 1860 AW
Model Year2012
Model Year201
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam87 in. (2.2 m)
Beam86 in. (2.18 m)
Beam - Meters2.21
Beam - Meters2.18
Beam - Inches87
Beam - Inches86
Depth - Detail35 in. (0.89 m) To Floor: 23 in. (0.58 m)
Depth - Detailnot available
Depth - Centimeters88.9
Depth - Centimetersnot available
Depth - Inches35
Depth - Inchesnot available
Weight - Detail920 lbs. (417 kg)
Weight - Detail680 lbs. (308 kg)
Weight - kg417.3
Weight - kg308.44
Weight - lbs.92
Weight - lbs.68
Width [transom] - Detail87 in. (2.2 m)
Width [transom] - Detail60 in. (1.52 m)
Height [transom]20 in. (0.5 m)
Height [transom]21 in. (.53 m)
Length - Feet16.58
Length - Feet18
Length overall - Detail16 ft. 7 in. (5 m)
Length overall - Detail18 ft. (5.5 m)
Length overall - Meters5.05
Length overall - Meters5.49
Length overall - Inches199
Length overall - Inches216
Height - Detailnot available
Height - Detail25 in. (.64 m)
Height - Metersnot available
Height - Meters0.64
Height - Inchesnot available
Height - Inches25
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Meters5.5
Body / Hull
Hull materialAluminum
Hull materialAluminum
Hull thicknessBottom and Sides: 0.080 in. (2 mm)
Hull thickness0.102 in. (2.6 mm)
Hull typeDeep Vee
Hull typeModified Vee
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail19 gal. (71 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Liters71.92
Fuel tank capacity - Litersnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Gal19
Fuel tank capacity - Galnot available
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typeGas
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeOutboard
Engine max70 hp (52 kW)
Engine max50 hp (37 kW)
Operational Info
StorageAft Livewell: 19 gal. (71 l)
Storagenot available
Maximum capacity1,325 lbs. (601 kg)
Maximum capacity1,600 lbs. (725.7 kg)
Maximum people6
Maximum people6

Alumacraft Competitor 165 Tiller 2012 vs Alumacraft MV 1860 AW 2010 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Alumacraft Competitor 165 Tiller 2012 or the Alumacraft MV 1860 AW 2010?
The Alumacraft MV 1860 AW 2010 is the longer of the two at 18,0 feet overall. The Alumacraft Competitor 165 Tiller 2012 comes in at 16,6 feet, making it roughly 1,4 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.
Which is easier to trailer — the Alumacraft Competitor 165 Tiller 2012 or the Alumacraft MV 1860 AW 2010?
For trailering, the Alumacraft MV 1860 AW 2010 has the edge at 68 lbs dry weight versus 92 lbs for the Alumacraft Competitor 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.
Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?
The Alumacraft Competitor 165 Tiller 2012 is rated to a maximum of 70 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Alumacraft MV 1860 AW 2010 tops out at 50 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 Tiller 2012 is Coast Guard rated for 6 passengers, while the Alumacraft MV 1860 AW 2010 is certified for 6. 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 has the better power-to-weight ratio?
The Alumacraft Competitor 165 Tiller 2012 has a better power-to-weight ratio at 1 lbs per hp compared to 1 lbs per hp for the Alumacraft MV 1860 AW 2010. A lower number means quicker acceleration and faster time to plane — the number that actually matters most on short, sporty boats like these.
Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?
The Alumacraft Competitor 165 Tiller 2012 measures 87" wide, compared to 86" for the Alumacraft MV 1860 AW 2010. 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 Competitor 165 Tiller 2012 and Alumacraft MV 1860 AW 2010 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Alumacraft Competitor 165 Tiller 2012 and the Alumacraft MV 1860 AW 2010 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.