Alumacraft Fisherman 145 CS 2012 vs Alumacraft MV Tex Special 2003 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Alumacraft Fisherman 145 CS 2012 or the Alumacraft MV Tex Special 2003?

For trailering, the Alumacraft MV Tex Special 2003 has the edge at 51 lbs dry weight versus 602 lbs for the Alumacraft Fisherman 145 CS 2012. 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 MV Tex Special 2003 is rated to a maximum of 60 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Alumacraft Fisherman 145 CS 2012 tops out at 30 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 2012 is Coast Guard rated for 4 passengers, while the Alumacraft MV Tex Special 2003 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.

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

The Alumacraft Fisherman 145 CS 2012 measures 73" wide, compared to 7" for the Alumacraft MV Tex Special 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 2012 and Alumacraft MV Tex Special 2003 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Alumacraft Fisherman 145 CS 2012 and the Alumacraft MV Tex Special 2003 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 2012 vs Alumacraft MV Tex Special 2003

Alumacraft

Alumacraft Fisherman 145 CS 2012

2012

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$Alumacraft MV Tex Special 2003 boat specs$

Alumacraft

Alumacraft MV Tex Special 2003

2003

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Alumacraft Fisherman 145 CS 2012 vs Alumacraft MV Tex Special 2003 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Alumacraft Fisherman 145 CS 2012 vs Alumacraft MV Tex Special 2003 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 60 hp, the Alumacraft MV Tex Special 2003 has a 30-hp advantage over the Alumacraft Fisherman 145 CS 2012's 30-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 MV Tex Special 2003 is rated for 5 passengers, while the Alumacraft Fisherman 145 CS 2012 caps at 4. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Alumacraft MV Tex Special 2003 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Alumacraft MV Tex Special 2003 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 5 passengers and at 0,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Alumacraft Fisherman 145 CS 2012 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

ModelMV Tex Special

Model Year2012

Model Year2003

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam73 in. (1.85 m)

BeamBeam: 70 in. Bottom: 48 in

Beam - Meters1.85

Beam - Meters1.78

Beam - Inches73

Beam - Inches7

Weight - Detail602 lbs. (273 kg)

Weight - Detail510 lbs

Weight - kg273.06

Weight - kg231.33

Weight - lbs.602

Weight - lbs.51

Width [transom] - Detail67 in. (1.7 m)

Width [transom] - Detailnot available

Height - Detail32 in. (0.84 m) To Floor: 20 in. (0.55 m)

Height - Detail21 in

Height - Meters0.81

Height - Meters0.53

Height - Inches32

Height - Inches21

Height [transom]20 in. (0.55 m)

Height [transom]20 in. Width: 69 in

Length - Feet14.83

Length - Feetnot available

Length overall - Detail14 ft. 10 in. (4.5 m)

Length overall - Detail16 ft. 0 in

Length overall - Meters4.52

Length overall - Meters4.88

Length overall - Inches178

Length overall - Inches192

Draft [drive up] - Detailnot available

Draft [drive up] - Detailn/a

Body / Hull

Hull materialAluminum

Hull thicknessBottom: 0.075 in. (1.78 mm) Sides: 0.065 in. (1.65 mm)

Hull thicknessnot available

Hull typeDeep Vee

Hull typenot available

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel typeGas

Fuel typenot available

Drive typeOutboard

Drive typenot available

Engine max30 hp (19 kW)

Engine max60 hp

Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Detailn/a

Operational Info

StorageSide Livewell: 13 gal. (49 l)

Storagenot available

Maximum capacity925 lbs. (420 kg)

Maximum capacitynot available

Maximum people4

Maximum people5 persons

Water capacitynot available

Water capacityn/a

Trailer Info

Trailer - Detailnot available

Trailer - Detailn/a

Alumacraft Fisherman 145 CS 2012 vs Alumacraft MV Tex Special 2003 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Alumacraft Fisherman 145 CS 2012 or the Alumacraft MV Tex Special 2003?

For trailering, the Alumacraft MV Tex Special 2003 has the edge at 51 lbs dry weight versus 602 lbs for the Alumacraft Fisherman 145 CS 2012. 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 MV Tex Special 2003 is rated to a maximum of 60 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Alumacraft Fisherman 145 CS 2012 tops out at 30 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 2012 is Coast Guard rated for 4 passengers, while the Alumacraft MV Tex Special 2003 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 Fisherman 145 CS 2012 measures 73" wide, compared to 7" for the Alumacraft MV Tex Special 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 2012 and Alumacraft MV Tex Special 2003 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Alumacraft Fisherman 145 CS 2012 and the Alumacraft MV Tex Special 2003 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 2012 full specs ← Alumacraft MV Tex Special 2003 full specs