Matching a deep vee Alumacraft Dominator 165 CS 2011 against a modified vee Alumacraft V-Bow 1860 AW Tunnel Special 2006 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 Dominator 165 CS 2011 at 16,7 ft versus Alumacraft V-Bow 1860 AW Tunnel Special 2006 at 18,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Alumacraft Dominator 165 CS 2011 tips the scales at 1 175 lbs — 1 070 lbs more than the Alumacraft V-Bow 1860 AW Tunnel Special 2006 at 105 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 115 hp, the Alumacraft V-Bow 1860 AW Tunnel Special 2006 has a 25-hp advantage over the Alumacraft Dominator 165 CS 2011's 90-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 V-Bow 1860 AW Tunnel Special 2006 carries 16 gallons versus 2 gallons in the Alumacraft Dominator 165 CS 2011. 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 V-Bow 1860 AW Tunnel Special 2006 is rated for 6 passengers, while the Alumacraft Dominator 165 CS 2011 caps at 5. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Alumacraft V-Bow 1860 AW Tunnel Special 2006 could be the deciding factor.
At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Alumacraft V-Bow 1860 AW Tunnel Special 2006 comes in at 1 lbs per hp versus 13 lbs per hp for the Alumacraft Dominator 165 CS 2011. 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 V-Bow 1860 AW Tunnel Special 2006 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 6 passengers and at 18,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Alumacraft Dominator 165 CS 2011 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 5 that costs less to run day-to-day.