Alumacraft Dominator 185 CS 2011 boat specs
Alumacraft
Alumacraft Dominator 185 CS 2011
2011
View full specs →
VS
Alumacraft MV  1648 2005 boat specs
Alumacraft
Alumacraft MV 1648 2005
2005
View full specs →

Alumacraft Dominator 185 CS 2011 vs Alumacraft MV 1648 2005 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Alumacraft Dominator 185 CS 2011 vs Alumacraft MV 1648 2005 comparison sits squarely in the category of decisions where specs alone won't tell the whole story — intended use, storage, and long-term ownership costs all factor in.

On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Alumacraft Dominator 185 CS 2011 at 18,8 ft versus Alumacraft MV 1648 2005 at 16,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Alumacraft Dominator 185 CS 2011 tips the scales at 1 438 lbs — 1 410 lbs more than the Alumacraft MV 1648 2005 at 28 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 Alumacraft Dominator 185 CS 2011 carries a rated maximum of 150 hp. Engine data for the Alumacraft MV 1648 2005 wasn't available in our records — check the manufacturer's spec sheet before sizing a motor.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Alumacraft Dominator 185 CS 2011 is rated for 6 passengers, while the Alumacraft MV 1648 2005 caps at 5. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Alumacraft Dominator 185 CS 2011 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Alumacraft Dominator 185 CS 2011 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 6 passengers and at 18,8 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Alumacraft MV 1648 2005 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 5 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
MakeAlumacraft
MakeAlumacraft
ModelDominator 185 CS
ModelMV 1648
Model Year2011
Model Year2005
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam94 in. (2.38 m)
Beam70 in
Beam - Meters2.39
Beam - Meters1.78
Beam - Inches94
Beam - Inches7
Depth - Detail43 in. (1.09 m) To Floor: 23 in. (0.58 m)
Depth - Detailnot available
Depth - Centimeters109.22
Depth - Centimetersnot available
Depth - Inches43
Depth - Inchesnot available
Weight - Detail1,438 lbs. (694 kg)
Weight - Detail280 lbs
Weight - kg652.27
Weight - kg127.01
Weight - lbs.1438
Weight - lbs.28
Width [transom] - Detail94 in. (2.39 m)
Width [transom] - Detail48 in
Height [transom]25 in. (0.64 m)
Height [transom]15 in. or 20 in
Length - Feet18.75
Length - Feet16
Length overall - Detail18 ft. 9 in. (5.71 m)
Length overall - Detail16 ft. 0 in
Length overall - Meters5.72
Length overall - Meters4.88
Length overall - Inches225
Length overall - Inches192
Height - Detailnot available
Height - Detail21 in
Height - Metersnot available
Height - Meters0.53
Height - Inchesnot available
Height - Inches21
Body / Hull
Hull materialAluminum
Hull materialAluminum
Hull thicknessBottom and Sides: 0.080 in. (2 mm)
Hull thicknessBottom/sides: .070 in
Hull typeDeep Vee
Hull typenot available
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail38 gal. (144 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Liters143.85
Fuel tank capacity - Litersnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Gal38
Fuel tank capacity - Galnot available
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typenot available
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typenot available
Engine max150 hp (112 kW)
Engine maxnot available
Engine/s standardnot available
Engine/s standard40 hp
Operational Info
StorageBow Livewell: 22 gal. (83.3 l) Aft Livewell: 13 gal. (49.21 l)
Storagenot available
Maximum capacity1,600 lbs. (726 kg)
Maximum capacitynot available
Maximum people6
Maximum people5

Alumacraft Dominator 185 CS 2011 vs Alumacraft MV 1648 2005 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Alumacraft Dominator 185 CS 2011 or the Alumacraft MV 1648 2005?
The Alumacraft Dominator 185 CS 2011 is the longer of the two at 18,8 feet overall. The Alumacraft MV 1648 2005 comes in at 16,0 feet, making it roughly 2,8 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.
Which is easier to trailer — the Alumacraft Dominator 185 CS 2011 or the Alumacraft MV 1648 2005?
For trailering, the Alumacraft MV 1648 2005 has the edge at 28 lbs dry weight versus 1 438 lbs for the Alumacraft Dominator 185 CS 2011. 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.
What is the maximum horsepower rating for these boats?
The Alumacraft Dominator 185 CS 2011 has a documented max rating of 150 hp. Engine specifications for the Alumacraft MV 1648 2005 were not available in our database — check the OEM spec sheet or manufacturer's website for confirmation.
How many people can each boat hold?
The Alumacraft Dominator 185 CS 2011 is Coast Guard rated for 6 passengers, while the Alumacraft MV 1648 2005 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 is wider, and does it affect trailering?
The Alumacraft Dominator 185 CS 2011 measures 94" wide, compared to 7" for the Alumacraft MV 1648 2005. 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 Dominator 185 CS 2011 and Alumacraft MV 1648 2005 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Alumacraft Dominator 185 CS 2011 and the Alumacraft MV 1648 2005 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.