Alumacraft Competitor 185 Sport 2013 vs Alumacraft MV 1542 NCS 2002 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Alumacraft Competitor 185 Sport 2013 or the Alumacraft MV 1542 NCS 2002?

For trailering, the Alumacraft Competitor 185 Sport 2013 has the edge at 15 lbs dry weight versus 23 lbs for the Alumacraft MV 1542 NCS 2002. 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 Competitor 185 Sport 2013 is rated to a maximum of 150 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Alumacraft MV 1542 NCS 2002 tops out at 25 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 185 Sport 2013 is Coast Guard rated for 6 passengers, while the Alumacraft MV 1542 NCS 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 Competitor 185 Sport 2013 measures 95" wide, compared to 62" for the Alumacraft MV 1542 NCS 2002. 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 Sport 2013 and Alumacraft MV 1542 NCS 2002 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Alumacraft Competitor 185 Sport 2013 and the Alumacraft MV 1542 NCS 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 185 Sport 2013 vs Alumacraft MV 1542 NCS 2002

Alumacraft

Alumacraft Competitor 185 Sport 2013

2013

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Alumacraft

Alumacraft MV 1542 NCS 2002

2002

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Alumacraft Competitor 185 Sport 2013 vs Alumacraft MV 1542 NCS 2002 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Alumacraft Competitor 185 Sport 2013 vs Alumacraft MV 1542 NCS 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 150 hp, the Alumacraft Competitor 185 Sport 2013 has a 125-hp advantage over the Alumacraft MV 1542 NCS 2002's 25-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 Sport 2013 is rated for 6 passengers, while the Alumacraft MV 1542 NCS 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 185 Sport 2013 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Alumacraft Competitor 185 Sport 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 1542 NCS 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 185 Sport

ModelMV 1542 NCS

Model Year2013

Model Year2002

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam95 in. (2.41 m)

Beam62 in

Beam - Meters2.41

Beam - Meters1.57

Beam - Inches95

Beam - Inches62

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 - Detail1,500 lbs. (680 kg)

Weight - Detail230 lbs

Weight - kg680.39

Weight - kg104.33

Weight - lbs.15

Weight - lbs.23

Width [transom] - Detail93 in. (2.36 m)

Width [transom] - Detailnot available

Height [transom]25 in. (0.63 m)

Height [transom]15 in

Length - Feet18.67

Length - Feetnot available

Length overall - Detail18 ft. 8 in. (5.6 m)

Length overall - Detail15 ft

Length overall - Meters5.69

Length overall - Meters4.57

Length overall - Inches224

Length overall - Inches18

Height - Detailnot available

Height - Detail20 in

Height - Metersnot available

Height - Meters0.51

Height - Inchesnot available

Height - Inches2

Body / Hull

Hull materialAluminum

Hull thickness0.080 in. (2 mm)

Hull thicknessnot available

Hull typeDeep Vee

Hull typenot available

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

Fuel typeGas

Fuel typenot available

Drive typeOutboard

Drive typenot available

Engine max150 hp (111 kW)

Engine max25 hp w/Tiller Steering

Operational Info

StorageBow Livewell: 13 gal. (49 l) Aft Livewell: 21 gal. (79 l)

Storagenot available

Maximum capacity1,600 lbs. (726 kg)

Maximum capacitynot available

Maximum people6

Maximum people4 persons

Alumacraft Competitor 185 Sport 2013 vs Alumacraft MV 1542 NCS 2002 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Alumacraft Competitor 185 Sport 2013 or the Alumacraft MV 1542 NCS 2002?

For trailering, the Alumacraft Competitor 185 Sport 2013 has the edge at 15 lbs dry weight versus 23 lbs for the Alumacraft MV 1542 NCS 2002. 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 185 Sport 2013 is rated to a maximum of 150 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Alumacraft MV 1542 NCS 2002 tops out at 25 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 185 Sport 2013 is Coast Guard rated for 6 passengers, while the Alumacraft MV 1542 NCS 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 Competitor 185 Sport 2013 measures 95" wide, compared to 62" for the Alumacraft MV 1542 NCS 2002. 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 Sport 2013 and Alumacraft MV 1542 NCS 2002 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Alumacraft Competitor 185 Sport 2013 and the Alumacraft MV 1542 NCS 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 185 Sport 2013 full specs ← Alumacraft MV 1542 NCS 2002 full specs