Alumacraft Fisherman 160 Tiller 2012 boat specs
Alumacraft
Alumacraft Fisherman 160 Tiller 2012
2012
View full specs →
VS
Alumacraft Navigator 165 Tiller 2006 boat specs
Alumacraft
Alumacraft Navigator 165 Tiller 2006
2006
View full specs →

Alumacraft Fisherman 160 Tiller 2012 vs Alumacraft Navigator 165 Tiller 2006 — Same Brand, Different Boat

Matching a deep vee Alumacraft Fisherman 160 Tiller 2012 against a modified vee Alumacraft Navigator 165 Tiller 2006 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 160 Tiller 2012 at 16,3 ft versus Alumacraft Navigator 165 Tiller 2006 at 16,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Alumacraft Navigator 165 Tiller 2006 tips the scales at 925 lbs — 919 lbs less than the Alumacraft Fisherman 160 Tiller 2012 at 6 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 60 hp, the Alumacraft Navigator 165 Tiller 2006 has a 35-hp advantage over the Alumacraft Fisherman 160 Tiller 2012's 25-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load.

Both boats are rated for 5 passengers — a good fit for a family of four or five plus guests. Comfort at capacity is another matter; the longer hull typically means more seat options and better weight distribution.

At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Alumacraft Fisherman 160 Tiller 2012 comes in at 0 lbs per hp versus 15 lbs per hp for the Alumacraft Navigator 165 Tiller 2006. 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: Performance buyers should lean toward the Alumacraft Navigator 165 Tiller 2006 and its 60-hp ceiling. If fuel economy and quieter running matter more than top-end speed, the Alumacraft Fisherman 160 Tiller 2012 with its 25-hp rating is the more economical daily driver.
General Boat Info
MakeAlumacraft
MakeAlumacraft
ModelFisherman 160 Tiller
ModelNavigator 165 Tiller
Model Year2012
Model Year2006
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam73 in. (1.85 m)
Beam90 in. (2.29 m)
Beam - Meters1.85
Beam - Meters2.29
Beam - Inches73
Beam - Inches9
Weight - Detail600 lbs. (272 kg)
Weight - Detail925 lbs. (420 kg)
Weight - kg272.16
Weight - kg419.57
Weight - lbs.6
Weight - lbs.925
Width [transom] - Detail67 in. (1.7 m)
Width [transom] - Detail90 in. (2.29 m)
Height - Detail32 in. (0.84 m) To Floor: 20 in. (0.55 m)
Height - Detailnot available
Height - Meters0.81
Height - Metersnot available
Height - Inches32
Height - Inchesnot available
Height [transom]20 in. (0.55 m)
Height [transom]20 in. (.51 m)
Length - Feet16.25
Length - Feet16
Length overall - Detail16 ft. 3 in. (4.9 m)
Length overall - Detail16 ft. 7 in. (5.05 m)
Length overall - Meters4.95
Length overall - Meters5.05
Length overall - Inches195
Length overall - Inches199
Depth - Detailnot available
Depth - DetailMaximum: 36 in. (.99 m) To Floor: 21 in. (.53 m)
Depth - Centimetersnot available
Depth - Centimeters91.44
Depth - Inchesnot available
Depth - Inches36
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Meters5.05
Length - Inchesnot available
Length - Inches7
Body / Hull
Hull materialAluminum
Hull materialAluminum
Hull thicknessBottom: 0.070 in. (1.78 mm) Sides: 0.065 in. (1.65 mm)
Hull thicknessBottom: .098 in. (2.4 mm) Sides: .080 in. (2.0 mm) 2XB Bow?2nd Plate: .080 in
Hull typeDeep Vee
Hull typeModified Vee
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typeGas
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeOutboard
Engine max25 hp (19 kW)
Engine max60 hp (45 kw)
Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Detail23 gal. (87 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Litersnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Liters87.06
Fuel tank capacity - Galnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Gal23
Operational Info
StorageSide Livewell: 13 gal. (49 l)
Storagenot available
Maximum capacity1,118 lbs. (507 kg)
Maximum capacity1,245 lbs. (565 kg)
Maximum people5
Maximum people5

Alumacraft Fisherman 160 Tiller 2012 vs Alumacraft Navigator 165 Tiller 2006 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Alumacraft Fisherman 160 Tiller 2012 or the Alumacraft Navigator 165 Tiller 2006?
The Alumacraft Fisherman 160 Tiller 2012 is the longer of the two at 16,3 feet overall. The Alumacraft Navigator 165 Tiller 2006 comes in at 16,0 feet, making it roughly 0,3 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.
Which is easier to trailer — the Alumacraft Fisherman 160 Tiller 2012 or the Alumacraft Navigator 165 Tiller 2006?
For trailering, the Alumacraft Fisherman 160 Tiller 2012 has the edge at 6 lbs dry weight versus 925 lbs for the Alumacraft Navigator 165 Tiller 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 165 Tiller 2006 is rated to a maximum of 60 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Alumacraft Fisherman 160 Tiller 2012 tops out at 25 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 160 Tiller 2012 is Coast Guard rated for 5 passengers, while the Alumacraft Navigator 165 Tiller 2006 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 Fisherman 160 Tiller 2012 has a better power-to-weight ratio at 0 lbs per hp compared to 15 lbs per hp for the Alumacraft Navigator 165 Tiller 2006. 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 Fisherman 160 Tiller 2012 measures 73" wide, compared to 9" for the Alumacraft Navigator 165 Tiller 2006. 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 160 Tiller 2012 and Alumacraft Navigator 165 Tiller 2006 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Alumacraft Fisherman 160 Tiller 2012 and the Alumacraft Navigator 165 Tiller 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.