Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Alumacraft Competitor 185 CS 2013 vs Alumacraft MV 1756 AW 2008 — Same Brand, Different Boat
Matching a deep vee Alumacraft Competitor 185 CS 2013 against a modified vee Alumacraft MV 1756 AW 2008 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 185 CS 2013 at 18,7 ft versus Alumacraft MV 1756 AW 2008 at 17,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Alumacraft Competitor 185 CS 2013 tips the scales at 141 lbs — 135 lbs more than the Alumacraft MV 1756 AW 2008 at 6 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.
The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 150 hp, the Alumacraft Competitor 185 CS 2013 has a 100-hp advantage over the Alumacraft MV 1756 AW 2008'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 Competitor 185 CS 2013 is rated for 6 passengers, while the Alumacraft MV 1756 AW 2008 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 2013 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Alumacraft Competitor 185 CS 2013 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 MV 1756 AW 2008 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
ModelCompetitor 185 CS
ModelMV 1756 AW
Model Year2013
Model Year2008
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam95 in. (2.41 m)
Beam83 in
Beam - Meters2.41
Beam - Meters2.11
Beam - Inches95
Beam - Inches83
Depth - Detail43 - 23 in. (1.09 - 0.58 m) max to floor
Depth - Detailnot available
Depth - Centimeters58.42
Depth - Centimetersnot available
Depth - Inches23
Depth - Inchesnot available
Weight - Detail1,410 lbs. (639 kg)
Weight - Detail600 lbs
Weight - kg639.56
Weight - kg272.16
Weight - lbs.141
Weight - lbs.6
Width [transom] - Detail93 in. (2.36 m)
Width [transom] - Detail56 in
Height [transom]25 in. (0.63 m)
Height [transom]21 in
Length - Feet18.67
Length - Feet17
Length overall - Detail18 ft. 8 in. (5.6 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 thickness0.080 in. (2 mm)
Hull thickness0.102 in
Hull typeDeep Vee
Hull typeModified Vee
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail34 gal. (128 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Liters128.7
Fuel tank capacity - Litersnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Gal34
Fuel tank capacity - Galnot available
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeOutboard
Engine max150 hp (111 kW)
Engine max50 hp, 75 hp with optional console and optional floor
Operational Info
StorageBow Livewell: 13 gal. (49 l) Aft Livewell: 21 gal. (79 l)
Storagenot available
Maximum capacity1,600 lbs. (726 kg)
Maximum capacity825 lbs
Maximum people6
Maximum people5