Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Alumacraft Dominator 185 CS 2012 vs Alumacraft MV 1756 AW SC 2009 — Same Brand, Different Boat
Matching a deep vee Alumacraft Dominator 185 CS 2012 against a modified vee Alumacraft MV 1756 AW SC 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 Dominator 185 CS 2012 at 18,8 ft versus Alumacraft MV 1756 AW SC 2009 at 17,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Alumacraft Dominator 185 CS 2012 tips the scales at 1 438 lbs — 1 355 lbs more than the Alumacraft MV 1756 AW SC 2009 at 83 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 150 hp, the Alumacraft Dominator 185 CS 2012 has a 75-hp advantage over the Alumacraft MV 1756 AW SC 2009's 75-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 Dominator 185 CS 2012 carries 35 gallons versus 16 gallons in the Alumacraft MV 1756 AW SC 2009. 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 Dominator 185 CS 2012 is rated for 6 passengers, while the Alumacraft MV 1756 AW SC 2009 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 2012 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Alumacraft Dominator 185 CS 2012 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 1756 AW SC 2009 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 1756 AW SC
Model Year2012
Model Year2009
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam94 in. (2.38 m)
Beam83 in
Beam - Meters2.39
Beam - Meters2.11
Beam - Inches94
Beam - Inches83
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 - Detail830 lbs
Weight - kg652.27
Weight - kg376.48
Weight - lbs.1438
Weight - lbs.83
Width [transom] - Detail94 in. (2.39 m)
Width [transom] - Detail56 in
Height [transom]25 in. (0.64 m)
Height [transom]21 in
Length - Feet18.75
Length - Feet17
Length overall - Detail18 ft. 9 in. (5.71 m)
Length overall - Detail17 ft
Length overall - Meters5.72
Length overall - Meters5.18
Length overall - Inches225
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 thicknessBottom and Sides: 0.080 in. (2 mm)
Hull thickness0.102 in
Hull typeDeep Vee
Hull typeModified Vee
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail35 gal. (132 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail16 gal
Fuel tank capacity - Liters132.49
Fuel tank capacity - Liters60.57
Fuel tank capacity - Gal35
Fuel tank capacity - Gal16
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeOutboard
Engine max150 hp (112 kW)
Engine max75 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 capacity1,300 lbs
Maximum people6
Maximum people5