Alumacraft Fisherman 145 CS 2008 boat specs
Alumacraft
Alumacraft Fisherman 145 CS 2008
2008
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Alumacraft VB 1756 AW Tunnel 2009 boat specs
Alumacraft
Alumacraft VB 1756 AW Tunnel 2009
2009
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Alumacraft Fisherman 145 CS 2008 vs Alumacraft VB 1756 AW Tunnel 2009 — Same Brand, Different Boat

Matching a other Alumacraft Fisherman 145 CS 2008 against a flat Alumacraft VB 1756 AW Tunnel 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 Fisherman 145 CS 2008 at 14,0 ft versus Alumacraft VB 1756 AW Tunnel 2009 at 17,0 ft. At 5 lbs and 6 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.

Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling — 35 hp for the Alumacraft Fisherman 145 CS 2008 and 50 hp for the Alumacraft VB 1756 AW Tunnel 2009. Real-world performance will come down more to which motor is actually bolted on, its load at the time, and whether it's a 4-stroke or 2-stroke setup.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Alumacraft VB 1756 AW Tunnel 2009 is rated for 5 passengers, while the Alumacraft Fisherman 145 CS 2008 caps at 4. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Alumacraft VB 1756 AW Tunnel 2009 could be the deciding factor.

At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Alumacraft VB 1756 AW Tunnel 2009 comes in at 0 lbs per hp versus 0 lbs per hp for the Alumacraft Fisherman 145 CS 2008. 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 VB 1756 AW Tunnel 2009 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 5 passengers and at 17,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Alumacraft Fisherman 145 CS 2008 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
MakeAlumacraft
ModelFisherman 145 CS
ModelVB 1756 AW Tunnel
Model Year2008
Model Year2009
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam71 in. (1.79 m)
Beam83 in
Beam - Meters1.8
Beam - Meters2.11
Beam - Inches71
Beam - Inches83
Depth - DetailMaximum: 33 in. (0.84 m) To Floor: 22 in. (0.55 m)
Depth - Detailnot available
Depth - Centimeters83.82
Depth - Centimetersnot available
Depth - Inches33
Depth - Inchesnot available
Weight - Detail500 lbs. (227 kg)
Weight - Detail600 lbs
Weight - kg226.8
Weight - kg272.16
Weight - lbs.5
Weight - lbs.6
Width [transom] - Detail63 in. (1.6 m)
Width [transom] - Detail56 in
Height [transom]20 in. (0.51 m)
Height [transom]21 in
Length - Meters4.42
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Feet14
Length - Feet17
Length - Inches6
Length - Inchesnot available
Length overall - Detail14 ft. 6 in. (4.42 m)
Length overall - Detail17 ft
Length overall - Meters4.42
Length overall - Meters5.18
Length overall - Inches174
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 thicknessFull Vee Hull-0.065 in. (1.7 mm)
Hull thickness0.102 in
Hull typeOther
Hull typeFlat
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typeGas
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeOutboard
Engine max35 hp (26 kW)
Engine max50 hp
Operational Info
Maximum capacity865 lbs. (392 kg)
Maximum capacity1,300 lbs
Maximum people4
Maximum people5

Alumacraft Fisherman 145 CS 2008 vs Alumacraft VB 1756 AW Tunnel 2009 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Alumacraft Fisherman 145 CS 2008 or the Alumacraft VB 1756 AW Tunnel 2009?
The Alumacraft VB 1756 AW Tunnel 2009 is the longer of the two at 17,0 feet overall. The Alumacraft Fisherman 145 CS 2008 comes in at 14,0 feet, making it roughly 3,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.
Which is easier to trailer — the Alumacraft Fisherman 145 CS 2008 or the Alumacraft VB 1756 AW Tunnel 2009?
For trailering, the Alumacraft Fisherman 145 CS 2008 has the edge at 5 lbs dry weight versus 6 lbs for the Alumacraft VB 1756 AW Tunnel 2009. 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 VB 1756 AW Tunnel 2009 is rated to a maximum of 50 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Alumacraft Fisherman 145 CS 2008 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 2008 is Coast Guard rated for 4 passengers, while the Alumacraft VB 1756 AW Tunnel 2009 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 has the better power-to-weight ratio?
The Alumacraft VB 1756 AW Tunnel 2009 has a better power-to-weight ratio at 0 lbs per hp compared to 0 lbs per hp for the Alumacraft Fisherman 145 CS 2008. A lower number means quicker acceleration and faster time to plane — the number that actually matters most on short, sporty boats like these.
Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?
The Alumacraft VB 1756 AW Tunnel 2009 measures 83" wide, compared to 71" for the Alumacraft Fisherman 145 CS 2008. 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 2008 and Alumacraft VB 1756 AW Tunnel 2009 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Alumacraft Fisherman 145 CS 2008 and the Alumacraft VB 1756 AW Tunnel 2009 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.