When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Alumacraft Fisherman 160 CS 2011 and the Alumacraft Riveted Jon 1036 2011 are flat designs with aluminum construction — the buying decision usually comes down to a handful of practical questions: how many people are you putting on the water, how far do you trailer, and what does your tow vehicle weigh?

Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Alumacraft Fisherman 160 CS 2011 measures 16,5 feet overall (2011), giving it roughly 15,5 additional feet of deck space compared to the Alumacraft Riveted Jon 1036 2011 at 1,0 feet (2011). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Alumacraft Fisherman 160 CS 2011 tips the scales at 622 lbs — 517 lbs more than the Alumacraft Riveted Jon 1036 2011 at 105 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 40 hp, the Alumacraft Fisherman 160 CS 2011 has a 37-hp advantage over the Alumacraft Riveted Jon 1036 2011's 3-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 Fisherman 160 CS 2011 is rated for 5 passengers, while the Alumacraft Riveted Jon 1036 2011 caps at 3. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Alumacraft Fisherman 160 CS 2011 could be the deciding factor.

At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Alumacraft Fisherman 160 CS 2011 comes in at 16 lbs per hp versus 35 lbs per hp for the Alumacraft Riveted Jon 1036 2011. 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.