Matching a deep vee Alumacraft Competitor 165 Tiller 2013 against a modified vee Alumacraft VS170 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 Competitor 165 Tiller 2013 at 16,6 ft versus Alumacraft VS170 2009 at 17,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Alumacraft VS170 2009 tips the scales at 852 lbs — 760 lbs less than the Alumacraft Competitor 165 Tiller 2013 at 92 lbs. That difference is meaningful if you're working within a half-ton or three-quarter-ton truck's tow rating, especially once you factor in a motor, gear, and fuel.

Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling — 70 hp for the Alumacraft Competitor 165 Tiller 2013 and 70 hp for the Alumacraft VS170 2009. 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 carry nearly identical fuel loads — 17 gal and 16 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Alumacraft Competitor 165 Tiller 2013 is rated for 6 passengers, while the Alumacraft VS170 2009 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 Tiller 2013 could be the deciding factor.

At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Alumacraft Competitor 165 Tiller 2013 comes in at 1 lbs per hp versus 12 lbs per hp for the Alumacraft VS170 2009. 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.