Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Alumacraft Competitor 185 Tiller 2013 vs Alumacraft MV Tex Special 2011 — Same Brand, Different Boat
Matching a deep vee Alumacraft Competitor 185 Tiller 2013 against a flat Alumacraft MV Tex Special 2011 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 2011 at 16,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Alumacraft MV Tex Special 2011 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 2011'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 2011 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 2011 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 Year2011
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam95 in. (2.41 m)
Beam74 in. (1.88 m)
Beam - Meters2.41
Beam - Meters1.88
Beam - Inches95
Beam - Inches74
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 - Detail1,300 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]21 in. (0.53 m)
Length - Feet18.67
Length - Feet16
Length overall - Detail18 ft. 8 in. (5.6 m)
Length overall - Detail16 ft. 0 in. (4.88 m)
Length overall - Meters5.69
Length overall - Meters4.88
Length overall - Inches224
Length overall - Inches192
Height - Detailnot available
Height - DetailSide Height: 21 in. (0.53 m)
Height - Metersnot available
Height - Meters0.53
Height - Inchesnot available
Height - Inches21
Body / Hull
Hull materialAluminum
Hull materialAluminum
Hull thickness0.080 in. (2 mm)
Hull thicknessBottom and Sides: 0.102 in. (2.6 mm)
Hull typeDeep Vee
Hull typeFlat
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 max90 hp (67 kW)
Engine max60 hp (45 kW)
Operational Info
StorageBow Livewell: 13 gal. (49 l) Aft Livewell: 21 gal. (79 l)
StorageLivewell: 20 gal. (75.71 l)
Maximum capacity1,600 lbs. (726 kg)
Maximum capacity1,010 lbs. (458 kg)
Maximum people6
Maximum people4