Matching a deep vee Alumacraft Competitor 185 Sport 2013 against a modified vee Alumacraft VS170 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 Sport 2013 at 18,7 ft versus Alumacraft VS170 2008 at 17,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Alumacraft VS170 2008 tips the scales at 852 lbs — 837 lbs less than the Alumacraft Competitor 185 Sport 2013 at 15 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 Sport 2013 has a 80-hp advantage over the Alumacraft VS170 2008's 70-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Alumacraft Competitor 185 Sport 2013 carries 34 gallons versus 16 gallons in the Alumacraft VS170 2008. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.

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 VS170 2008 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.