Alumacraft Fisherman 145 CS 2003 vs Alumacraft Navigator 185 CS 2006 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Alumacraft Fisherman 145 CS 2003 or the Alumacraft Navigator 185 CS 2006?

For trailering, the Alumacraft Fisherman 145 CS 2003 has the edge at 46 lbs dry weight versus 1 351 lbs for the Alumacraft Navigator 185 CS 2006. 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.

Q: Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Alumacraft Navigator 185 CS 2006 is rated to a maximum of 150 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Alumacraft Fisherman 145 CS 2003 tops out at 35 hp. Keep in mind that maximum ratings are just that — matching the motor to the actual load and usage pattern usually matters more than chasing the ceiling.

Q: How many people can each boat hold?

The Alumacraft Fisherman 145 CS 2003 is Coast Guard rated for 4 passengers, while the Alumacraft Navigator 185 CS 2006 is certified for 6. 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.

Q: Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Alumacraft Navigator 185 CS 2006 measures 96" wide, compared to 7" for the Alumacraft Fisherman 145 CS 2003. 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.

Q: Are the Alumacraft Fisherman 145 CS 2003 and Alumacraft Navigator 185 CS 2006 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Alumacraft Fisherman 145 CS 2003 and the Alumacraft Navigator 185 CS 2006 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.

Boat Comparison

Alumacraft Fisherman 145 CS 2003 vs Alumacraft Navigator 185 CS 2006

Alumacraft

Alumacraft Fisherman 145 CS 2003

2003

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Alumacraft

Alumacraft Navigator 185 CS 2006

2006

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Alumacraft Fisherman 145 CS 2003 vs Alumacraft Navigator 185 CS 2006 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Alumacraft Fisherman 145 CS 2003 vs Alumacraft Navigator 185 CS 2006 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.

The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 150 hp, the Alumacraft Navigator 185 CS 2006 has a 115-hp advantage over the Alumacraft Fisherman 145 CS 2003's 35-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 Navigator 185 CS 2006 is rated for 6 passengers, while the Alumacraft Fisherman 145 CS 2003 caps at 4. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Alumacraft Navigator 185 CS 2006 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Alumacraft Navigator 185 CS 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 Fisherman 145 CS 2003 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 4 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeAlumacraft

ModelFisherman 145 CS

ModelNavigator 185 CS

Model Year2003

Model Year2006

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam70 in

Beam96 in. (2.44 m)

Beam - Meters1.78

Beam - Meters2.44

Beam - Inches7

Beam - Inches96

Draft [drive up] - Detailn/a

Draft [drive up] - Detailnot available

Weight - Detail460 lbs

Weight - Detail1,351 lbs. (613 kg)

Weight - kg208.65

Weight - kg612.8

Weight - lbs.46

Weight - lbs.1351

Height - Detailn/a

Height - Detailnot available

Height [transom]63 in. 20 in

Height [transom]25 in. (.51 m)

Length overall - Detail14 ft. 6 in

Length overall - Detail18 ft. 7 in. (5.66 m)

Length overall - Meters4.42

Length overall - Meters5.66

Length overall - Inches174

Length overall - Inches223

Depth - Detailnot available

Depth - DetailMaximum: 39 in. (.99 m) To Floor: 22 in. (.56 m)

Depth - Centimetersnot available

Depth - Centimeters99.06

Depth - Inchesnot available

Depth - Inches39

Width [transom] - Detailnot available

Width [transom] - Detail93 in. (2.36 m)

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Meters5.66

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Feet18

Length - Inchesnot available

Length - Inches7

Body / Hull

Hull materialAluminum

Hull thicknessnot available

Hull thicknessBottom: .098 in. (2.5 mm) Sides: .080 in. (2.0 mm) 2XB Bow?2nd Plate: .098 in

Hull typenot available

Hull typeModified Vee

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detailn/a

Fuel tank capacity - Detail40 gal. (151 l)

Engine max35 hp

Engine max150 hp (111 kw)

Fuel tank capacity - Litersnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Liters151.42

Fuel tank capacity - Galnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Gal4

Fuel typenot available

Fuel typeGas

Drive typenot available

Drive typeOutboard

Operational Info

Water capacityn/a

Water capacitynot available

Maximum people4 persons

Maximum people6

Maximum capacitynot available

Maximum capacity1,550 lbs. (703 kg)

Trailer Info

Trailer - Detailn/a

Trailer - Detailnot available

Alumacraft Fisherman 145 CS 2003 vs Alumacraft Navigator 185 CS 2006 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Alumacraft Fisherman 145 CS 2003 or the Alumacraft Navigator 185 CS 2006?

For trailering, the Alumacraft Fisherman 145 CS 2003 has the edge at 46 lbs dry weight versus 1 351 lbs for the Alumacraft Navigator 185 CS 2006. 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.

Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Alumacraft Navigator 185 CS 2006 is rated to a maximum of 150 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Alumacraft Fisherman 145 CS 2003 tops out at 35 hp. Keep in mind that maximum ratings are just that — matching the motor to the actual load and usage pattern usually matters more than chasing the ceiling.

How many people can each boat hold?

The Alumacraft Fisherman 145 CS 2003 is Coast Guard rated for 4 passengers, while the Alumacraft Navigator 185 CS 2006 is certified for 6. 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 Navigator 185 CS 2006 measures 96" wide, compared to 7" for the Alumacraft Fisherman 145 CS 2003. 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 Fisherman 145 CS 2003 and Alumacraft Navigator 185 CS 2006 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Alumacraft Fisherman 145 CS 2003 and the Alumacraft Navigator 185 CS 2006 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.

← Alumacraft Fisherman 145 CS 2003 full specs ← Alumacraft Navigator 185 CS 2006 full specs