Matching a deep vee Alumacraft Dominator 165 CS 2012 against a modified vee Alumacraft MV 2072 AW Tunnel SC 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.
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Alumacraft Dominator 165 CS 2012 measures 16,7 feet overall (2012), giving it roughly 14,7 additional feet of deck space compared to the Alumacraft MV 2072 AW Tunnel SC 2006 at 2,0 feet (2006). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Alumacraft Dominator 165 CS 2012 tips the scales at 125 lbs — 114 lbs more than the Alumacraft MV 2072 AW Tunnel SC 2006 at 11 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 MV 2072 AW Tunnel SC 2006 has a 25-hp advantage over the Alumacraft Dominator 165 CS 2012's 90-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 MV 2072 AW Tunnel SC 2006 is rated for 8 passengers, while the Alumacraft Dominator 165 CS 2012 caps at 6. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Alumacraft MV 2072 AW Tunnel SC 2006 could be the deciding factor.
At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Alumacraft MV 2072 AW Tunnel SC 2006 comes in at 0 lbs per hp versus 1 lbs per hp for the Alumacraft Dominator 165 CS 2012. 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 MV 2072 AW Tunnel SC 2006 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 8 passengers and at 2,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Alumacraft Dominator 165 CS 2012 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 6 that costs less to run day-to-day.