Alumacraft Crappie Deluxe 2009 boat specs
Alumacraft
Alumacraft Crappie Deluxe 2009
2009
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VS
Alumacraft VB 1756 AW Tunnel 2009 boat specs
Alumacraft
Alumacraft VB 1756 AW Tunnel 2009
2009
View full specs →

Alumacraft Crappie Deluxe 2009 vs Alumacraft VB 1756 AW Tunnel 2009 — Same Brand, Different Boat

Matching a modified vee Alumacraft Crappie Deluxe 2009 against a flat Alumacraft VB 1756 AW Tunnel 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.

On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Alumacraft Crappie Deluxe 2009 at 16,0 ft versus Alumacraft VB 1756 AW Tunnel 2009 at 17,0 ft. At 52 lbs and 6 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.

Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling — 30 hp for the Alumacraft Crappie Deluxe 2009 and 50 hp for the Alumacraft VB 1756 AW Tunnel 2009. Real-world performance will come down more to which motor is actually bolted on, its load at the time, and whether it's a 4-stroke or 2-stroke setup.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Alumacraft VB 1756 AW Tunnel 2009 is rated for 5 passengers, while the Alumacraft Crappie Deluxe 2009 caps at 2. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Alumacraft VB 1756 AW Tunnel 2009 could be the deciding factor.

At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Alumacraft VB 1756 AW Tunnel 2009 comes in at 0 lbs per hp versus 2 lbs per hp for the Alumacraft Crappie Deluxe 2009. The lower the ratio the more explosive the acceleration — meaningful on a short RIB where bursts of speed, quick planing, and agility in surf or tight waterways define the experience.

Bottom line: Choose the Alumacraft VB 1756 AW Tunnel 2009 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 5 passengers and at 17,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Alumacraft Crappie Deluxe 2009 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 2 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
MakeAlumacraft
MakeAlumacraft
ModelCrappie Deluxe
ModelVB 1756 AW Tunnel
Model Year2009
Model Year2009
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam70 in. (1.77 m) Bottom: 48 in. (1.22 m)
Beam83 in
Beam - Meters1.78
Beam - Meters2.11
Beam - Inches7
Beam - Inches83
Depth - Detail21 in. (0.53 m)
Depth - Detailnot available
Depth - Centimeters53.34
Depth - Centimetersnot available
Depth - Inches21
Depth - Inchesnot available
Weight - Detail520 lbs. (236 kg)
Weight - Detail600 lbs
Weight - kg235.87
Weight - kg272.16
Weight - lbs.52
Weight - lbs.6
Width [transom] - Detail68 in. (1.72 m)
Width [transom] - Detail56 in
Height [transom]20 in. (0.51 m)
Height [transom]21 in
Length - Meters4.88
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Feet16
Length - Feet17
Length overall - Detail16 ft. (4.88 m)
Length overall - Detail17 ft
Length overall - Meters4.88
Length overall - Meters5.18
Length overall - Inches192
Length overall - Inches204
Height - Detailnot available
Height - Detail24 in
Height - Metersnot available
Height - Meters0.61
Height - Inchesnot available
Height - Inches24
Body / Hull
Hull materialAluminum
Hull materialAluminum
Hull thickness0.072 in. (1.8 mm)
Hull thickness0.102 in
Hull typeModified Vee
Hull typeFlat
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typeGas
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeOutboard
Engine max30 hp (22 kW)
Engine max50 hp
Operational Info
Maximum capacity745 lbs. (338 kg)
Maximum capacity1,300 lbs
Maximum people2
Maximum people5

Alumacraft Crappie Deluxe 2009 vs Alumacraft VB 1756 AW Tunnel 2009 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Alumacraft Crappie Deluxe 2009 or the Alumacraft VB 1756 AW Tunnel 2009?
The Alumacraft VB 1756 AW Tunnel 2009 is the longer of the two at 17,0 feet overall. The Alumacraft Crappie Deluxe 2009 comes in at 16,0 feet, making it roughly 1,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.
Which is easier to trailer — the Alumacraft Crappie Deluxe 2009 or the Alumacraft VB 1756 AW Tunnel 2009?
For trailering, the Alumacraft VB 1756 AW Tunnel 2009 has the edge at 6 lbs dry weight versus 52 lbs for the Alumacraft Crappie Deluxe 2009. 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 VB 1756 AW Tunnel 2009 is rated to a maximum of 50 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Alumacraft Crappie Deluxe 2009 tops out at 30 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 Crappie Deluxe 2009 is Coast Guard rated for 2 passengers, while the Alumacraft VB 1756 AW Tunnel 2009 is certified for 5. 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 has the better power-to-weight ratio?
The Alumacraft VB 1756 AW Tunnel 2009 has a better power-to-weight ratio at 0 lbs per hp compared to 2 lbs per hp for the Alumacraft Crappie Deluxe 2009. A lower number means quicker acceleration and faster time to plane — the number that actually matters most on short, sporty boats like these.
Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?
The Alumacraft VB 1756 AW Tunnel 2009 measures 83" wide, compared to 7" for the Alumacraft Crappie Deluxe 2009. 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 Crappie Deluxe 2009 and Alumacraft VB 1756 AW Tunnel 2009 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Alumacraft Crappie Deluxe 2009 and the Alumacraft VB 1756 AW Tunnel 2009 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.