Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Alumacraft Dominator 185 Sport 2013 vs Alumacraft V-Bow 1756 AW Tunnel CC 2005 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The Alumacraft Dominator 185 Sport 2013 vs Alumacraft V-Bow 1756 AW Tunnel CC 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 Sport 2013 at 18,8 ft versus Alumacraft V-Bow 1756 AW Tunnel CC 2005 at 17,0 ft. At 153 lbs and 86 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.
The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 150 hp, the Alumacraft Dominator 185 Sport 2013 has a 75-hp advantage over the Alumacraft V-Bow 1756 AW Tunnel CC 2005'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 Sport 2013 carries 34 gallons versus 8 gallons in the Alumacraft V-Bow 1756 AW Tunnel CC 2005. 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 Sport 2013 is rated for 6 passengers, while the Alumacraft V-Bow 1756 AW Tunnel CC 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 Sport 2013 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Alumacraft Dominator 185 Sport 2013 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 V-Bow 1756 AW Tunnel CC 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 Sport
ModelV-Bow 1756 AW Tunnel CC
Model Year2013
Model Year2005
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam95 in. (2.41 m)
Beam83 in
Beam - Meters2.41
Beam - Meters2.11
Beam - Inches95
Beam - Inches83
Depth - Detail43 - 23 in. (1.09 - 0.58 m) max to floor
Depth - Detailnot available
Depth - Centimeters58.42
Depth - Centimetersnot available
Depth - Inches23
Depth - Inchesnot available
Weight - Detail1,530 lbs. (694 kg)
Weight - Detail860 lbs
Weight - kg694
Weight - kg390.09
Weight - lbs.153
Weight - lbs.86
Width [transom] - Detail94 in. (2.39 m)
Width [transom] - Detail56 in
Height [transom]25 in. (0.63 m)
Height [transom]21 in
Length - Feet18.75
Length - Feet17
Length overall - Detail18 ft. 9 in. (5.7 m)
Length overall - Detail17 ft. 0 in
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 thickness0.080 in. (2 mm)
Hull thicknessBottom/sides: .102 in
Hull typeDeep Vee
Hull typenot available
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail34 gal. (128 l)
Fuel tank capacity - DetailTwo 7.5 gal
Fuel tank capacity - Liters128.7
Fuel tank capacity - Liters30.28
Fuel tank capacity - Gal34
Fuel tank capacity - Gal7.5
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typenot available
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typenot available
Engine max150 hp (111 kW)
Engine max75 hp
Operational Info
StorageBow & Aft Livewell: 13 gal. (49 l)
Storagenot available
Maximum capacity1,600 lbs. (726 kg)
Maximum capacitynot available
Maximum people6
Maximum people5