Alumacraft Competitor 185 CS 2012 vs Alumacraft Waterfowler 16 2001 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Alumacraft Competitor 185 CS 2012 or the Alumacraft Waterfowler 16 2001?

For trailering, the Alumacraft Competitor 185 CS 2012 has the edge at 142 lbs dry weight versus 525 lbs for the Alumacraft Waterfowler 16 2001. 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: What is the maximum horsepower rating for these boats?

The Alumacraft Competitor 185 CS 2012 has a documented max rating of 150 hp. Engine specifications for the Alumacraft Waterfowler 16 2001 were not available in our database — check the OEM spec sheet or manufacturer's website for confirmation.

Q: How many people can each boat hold?

The Alumacraft Competitor 185 CS 2012 is Coast Guard rated for 6 passengers, while the Alumacraft Waterfowler 16 2001 is certified for 5. 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 Competitor 185 CS 2012 measures 95" wide, compared to 74" for the Alumacraft Waterfowler 16 2001. 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 Competitor 185 CS 2012 and Alumacraft Waterfowler 16 2001 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Alumacraft Competitor 185 CS 2012 and the Alumacraft Waterfowler 16 2001 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 185 CS 2012 vs Alumacraft Waterfowler 16 2001

Alumacraft

Alumacraft Competitor 185 CS 2012

2012

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Alumacraft

Alumacraft Waterfowler 16 2001

2001

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Alumacraft Competitor 185 CS 2012 vs Alumacraft Waterfowler 16 2001 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Alumacraft Competitor 185 CS 2012 vs Alumacraft Waterfowler 16 2001 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 Alumacraft Competitor 185 CS 2012 carries a rated maximum of 150 hp. Engine data for the Alumacraft Waterfowler 16 2001 wasn't available in our records — check the manufacturer's spec sheet before sizing a motor.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Alumacraft Competitor 185 CS 2012 is rated for 6 passengers, while the Alumacraft Waterfowler 16 2001 caps at 5. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Alumacraft Competitor 185 CS 2012 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Alumacraft Competitor 185 CS 2012 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 Waterfowler 16 2001 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

ModelCompetitor 185 CS

ModelWaterfowler 16

Model Year2012

Model Year2001

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam95 in. (2.41 m)

Beam74"

Beam - Meters2.41

Beam - Meters1.88

Beam - Inches95

Beam - Inches74

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 - Detail525 lbs

Weight - kg644.1

Weight - kg238.14

Weight - lbs.142

Weight - lbs.525

Width [transom] - Detail95 in. (2.36 m)

Width [transom] - Detailnot available

Height [transom]25 in. (0.64 m)

Height [transom]not available

Length - Feet18.67

Length - Feetnot available

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

Length overall - Detail16' 0"

Length overall - Meters5.69

Length overall - Meters4.88

Length overall - Inches224

Length overall - Inches192

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 - Detail35 gal. (132.5 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Liters132.49

Fuel tank capacity - Litersnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Gal35

Fuel tank capacity - Galnot available

Fuel typeGas

Fuel typenot available

Drive typeOutboard

Drive typenot available

Engine max150 hp (112 kW)

Engine maxnot available

Engine/s standardnot available

Engine/s standard15 - 60 hp

Operational Info

StorageBow Livewell: 22 gal. (83.3 l) Aft Livewell: 21 gal. (79.5 l)

Storagenot available

Maximum capacity1,600 lbs. (725 kg)

Maximum capacitynot available

Maximum people6

Maximum people5 person

Alumacraft Competitor 185 CS 2012 vs Alumacraft Waterfowler 16 2001 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Alumacraft Competitor 185 CS 2012 or the Alumacraft Waterfowler 16 2001?

For trailering, the Alumacraft Competitor 185 CS 2012 has the edge at 142 lbs dry weight versus 525 lbs for the Alumacraft Waterfowler 16 2001. 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.

What is the maximum horsepower rating for these boats?

The Alumacraft Competitor 185 CS 2012 has a documented max rating of 150 hp. Engine specifications for the Alumacraft Waterfowler 16 2001 were not available in our database — check the OEM spec sheet or manufacturer's website for confirmation.

How many people can each boat hold?

The Alumacraft Competitor 185 CS 2012 is Coast Guard rated for 6 passengers, while the Alumacraft Waterfowler 16 2001 is certified for 5. 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 Competitor 185 CS 2012 measures 95" wide, compared to 74" for the Alumacraft Waterfowler 16 2001. 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 185 CS 2012 and Alumacraft Waterfowler 16 2001 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Alumacraft Competitor 185 CS 2012 and the Alumacraft Waterfowler 16 2001 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 185 CS 2012 full specs ← Alumacraft Waterfowler 16 2001 full specs