Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Alumacraft Competitor 185 Tiller 2012 vs Alumacraft MV 1448 2009 — Same Brand, Different Boat
Matching a deep vee Alumacraft Competitor 185 Tiller 2012 against a modified vee Alumacraft MV 1448 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.
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Alumacraft Competitor 185 Tiller 2012 measures 18,7 feet overall (2012), giving it roughly 4,7 additional feet of deck space compared to the Alumacraft MV 1448 2009 at 14,0 feet (2009). At 13 lbs and 25 lbs respectively, both sit in a similar weight class — either should pair comfortably with most mid-size SUVs and half-ton trucks, though always confirm your specific tow rating with the motor added.
The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 90 hp, the Alumacraft Competitor 185 Tiller 2012 has a 65-hp advantage over the Alumacraft MV 1448 2009'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 Tiller 2012 is rated for 6 passengers, while the Alumacraft MV 1448 2009 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 Tiller 2012 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Alumacraft Competitor 185 Tiller 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 MV 1448 2009 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 Tiller
ModelMV 1448
Model Year2012
Model Year2009
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam95 in. (2.41 m)
Beam70 in
Beam - Meters2.41
Beam - Meters1.78
Beam - Inches95
Beam - Inches7
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 - Detail1,300 lbs. (526 kg)
Weight - Detail250 lbs
Weight - kg589.67
Weight - kg113.4
Weight - lbs.13
Weight - lbs.25
Width [transom] - Detail95 in. (2.36 m)
Width [transom] - Detail48 in
Height [transom]25 in. (0.64 m)
Height [transom]15 in. or 20 in
Length - Feet18.67
Length - Feet14
Length overall - Detail18 ft. 8 in. (5.38 m)
Length overall - Detail14 ft
Length overall - Meters5.69
Length overall - Meters4.27
Length overall - Inches224
Length overall - Inches168
Height - Detailnot available
Height - Detail21 in
Height - Metersnot available
Height - Meters0.53
Height - Inchesnot available
Height - Inches21
Body / Hull
Hull materialAluminum
Hull materialAluminum
Hull thicknessBottom and Sides: 0.080 in. (2 mm)
Hull thickness0.070 in
Hull typeDeep Vee
Hull typeModified Vee
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
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeOutboard
Engine max90 hp (56 kW)
Engine max25 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 capacity885 lbs
Maximum people6
Maximum people5