Alumacraft Competitor 185 Tiller 2013 boat specs
Alumacraft
Alumacraft Competitor 185 Tiller 2013
2013
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VS
Alumacraft MV Tex Special  2008 boat specs
Alumacraft
Alumacraft MV Tex Special 2008
2008
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Alumacraft Competitor 185 Tiller 2013 vs Alumacraft MV Tex Special 2008 — Same Brand, Different Boat

Matching a deep vee Alumacraft Competitor 185 Tiller 2013 against a modified vee Alumacraft MV Tex Special 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 Tiller 2013 at 18,7 ft versus Alumacraft MV Tex Special 2008 at 16,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Alumacraft MV Tex Special 2008 tips the scales at 675 lbs — 662 lbs less than the Alumacraft Competitor 185 Tiller 2013 at 13 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 90 hp, the Alumacraft Competitor 185 Tiller 2013 has a 30-hp advantage over the Alumacraft MV Tex Special 2008's 60-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 2013 is rated for 6 passengers, while the Alumacraft MV Tex Special 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 Tiller 2013 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Alumacraft Competitor 185 Tiller 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 Tex Special 2008 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
MakeAlumacraft
ModelCompetitor 185 Tiller
ModelMV Tex Special
Model Year2013
Model Year2008
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam95 in. (2.41 m)
Beam74 in. (1.88 m) Bottom: 50 in. (1.27 m)
Beam - Meters2.41
Beam - Meters1.88
Beam - Inches95
Beam - Inches74
Depth - Detail43 - 23 in. (1.09 - 0.58 m) max to floor
Depth - Detail21 in. (0.53 m)
Depth - Centimeters58.42
Depth - Centimeters53.34
Depth - Inches23
Depth - Inches21
Weight - Detail1,300 lbs. (589 kg)
Weight - Detail675 lbs. (307 kg)
Weight - kg589.67
Weight - kg306.17
Weight - lbs.13
Weight - lbs.675
Width [transom] - Detail93 in. (2.36 m)
Width [transom] - Detail69 in. (1.75 m)
Height [transom]25 in. (0.63 m)
Height [transom]20 in. (0.50 m)
Length - Feet18.67
Length - Feet16
Length overall - Detail18 ft. 8 in. (5.6 m)
Length overall - Detail16 ft. (4.88 m)
Length overall - Meters5.69
Length overall - Meters4.88
Length overall - Inches224
Length overall - Inches192
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Meters4.88
Body / Hull
Hull materialAluminum
Hull materialAluminum
Hull thickness0.080 in. (2 mm)
Hull thickness0.102 in. (2.5 mm)
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
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typeGas
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeOutboard
Engine max90 hp (67 kW)
Engine max60 hp (45 kW)
Operational Info
StorageBow Livewell: 13 gal. (49 l) Aft Livewell: 21 gal. (79 l)
Storagenot available
Maximum capacity1,600 lbs. (726 kg)
Maximum capacity1,010 lbs. (458 kg)
Maximum people6
Maximum people4

Alumacraft Competitor 185 Tiller 2013 vs Alumacraft MV Tex Special 2008 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Alumacraft Competitor 185 Tiller 2013 or the Alumacraft MV Tex Special 2008?
The Alumacraft Competitor 185 Tiller 2013 is the longer of the two at 18,7 feet overall. The Alumacraft MV Tex Special 2008 comes in at 16,0 feet, making it roughly 2,7 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.
Which is easier to trailer — the Alumacraft Competitor 185 Tiller 2013 or the Alumacraft MV Tex Special 2008?
For trailering, the Alumacraft Competitor 185 Tiller 2013 has the edge at 13 lbs dry weight versus 675 lbs for the Alumacraft MV Tex Special 2008. 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 Tiller 2013 is rated to a maximum of 90 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Alumacraft MV Tex Special 2008 tops out at 60 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 Tiller 2013 is Coast Guard rated for 6 passengers, while the Alumacraft MV Tex Special 2008 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 Tiller 2013 measures 95" wide, compared to 74" for the Alumacraft MV Tex Special 2008. 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 Tiller 2013 and Alumacraft MV Tex Special 2008 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Alumacraft Competitor 185 Tiller 2013 and the Alumacraft MV Tex Special 2008 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.