Alumacraft Magnum 175 CS 2002 vs Alumacraft VS170 2006 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Alumacraft Magnum 175 CS 2002 or the Alumacraft VS170 2006?

For trailering, the Alumacraft VS170 2006 has the edge at 852 lbs dry weight versus 1 175 lbs for the Alumacraft Magnum 175 CS 2002. 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 Magnum 175 CS 2002 is rated to a maximum of 130 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Alumacraft VS170 2006 tops out at 75 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 Magnum 175 CS 2002 is Coast Guard rated for 5 passengers, while the Alumacraft VS170 2006 is certified for 4. 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 Magnum 175 CS 2002 measures 88" wide, compared to 74" for the Alumacraft VS170 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.

Q: Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Alumacraft Magnum 175 CS 2002 or the Alumacraft VS170 2006?

The Alumacraft Magnum 175 CS 2002 has the bigger tank at 34 gallons, versus 16 gallons on the Alumacraft VS170 2006. That 18-gallon difference translates to roughly 54–90 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Alumacraft Magnum 175 CS 2002 and Alumacraft VS170 2006 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Alumacraft Magnum 175 CS 2002 and the Alumacraft VS170 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 Magnum 175 CS 2002 vs Alumacraft VS170 2006

Alumacraft

Alumacraft Magnum 175 CS 2002

2002

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Alumacraft

Alumacraft VS170 2006

2006

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Alumacraft Magnum 175 CS 2002 vs Alumacraft VS170 2006 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Alumacraft Magnum 175 CS 2002 vs Alumacraft VS170 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 130 hp, the Alumacraft Magnum 175 CS 2002 has a 55-hp advantage over the Alumacraft VS170 2006's 75-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Alumacraft Magnum 175 CS 2002 carries 34 gallons versus 16 gallons in the Alumacraft VS170 2006. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Alumacraft Magnum 175 CS 2002 is rated for 5 passengers, while the Alumacraft VS170 2006 caps at 4. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Alumacraft Magnum 175 CS 2002 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Alumacraft Magnum 175 CS 2002 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 VS170 2006 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

ModelMagnum 175 CS

ModelVS17

Model Year2002

Model Year2006

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam88 in

Beam74 in. (1.88 m) Bottom: 52 in. (1.32 m)

Beam - Meters2.24

Beam - Meters1.88

Beam - Inches88

Beam - Inches74

Weight - Detail1175 lbs

Weight - Detail852 lbs. (387 kg)

Weight - kg532.97

Weight - kg386.46

Weight - lbs.1175

Weight - lbs.852

Height - Detail41 in

Height - Detail22 in. (.56 m)

Height - Meters1.04

Height - Meters0.56

Height - Inches41

Height - Inches22

Height [transom]20 in

Height [transom]22 in. (.56 m)

Length overall - Detail17 ft. 11 in

Length overall - Detail17 ft. 0 in. (5.18 m)

Length overall - Meters5.46

Length overall - Meters5.18

Length overall - Inches215

Length overall - Inches204

Width [transom] - Detailnot available

Width [transom] - Detail74 in. (1.88 m)

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Meters5.18

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Feet17

Body / Hull

Hull materialAluminum

Hull thicknessnot available

Hull thickness.102 in. (2.5 mm)

Hull typenot available

Hull typeModified Vee

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail34 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Detail16 gal. (60 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters128.7

Fuel tank capacity - Liters60.57

Fuel tank capacity - Gal34

Fuel tank capacity - Gal16

Engine max130 HP

Engine max75 hp (67 kw)

Fuel typenot available

Fuel typeGas

Drive typenot available

Drive typeOutboard

Operational Info

Maximum people5 persons

Maximum people4

Maximum capacitynot available

Maximum capacity1,100 lbs. (499 kg)

Alumacraft Magnum 175 CS 2002 vs Alumacraft VS170 2006 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Alumacraft Magnum 175 CS 2002 or the Alumacraft VS170 2006?

For trailering, the Alumacraft VS170 2006 has the edge at 852 lbs dry weight versus 1 175 lbs for the Alumacraft Magnum 175 CS 2002. 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 Magnum 175 CS 2002 is rated to a maximum of 130 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Alumacraft VS170 2006 tops out at 75 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 Magnum 175 CS 2002 is Coast Guard rated for 5 passengers, while the Alumacraft VS170 2006 is certified for 4. 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 Magnum 175 CS 2002 measures 88" wide, compared to 74" for the Alumacraft VS170 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.

Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Alumacraft Magnum 175 CS 2002 or the Alumacraft VS170 2006?

The Alumacraft Magnum 175 CS 2002 has the bigger tank at 34 gallons, versus 16 gallons on the Alumacraft VS170 2006. That 18-gallon difference translates to roughly 54–90 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Alumacraft Magnum 175 CS 2002 and Alumacraft VS170 2006 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Alumacraft Magnum 175 CS 2002 and the Alumacraft VS170 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 Magnum 175 CS 2002 full specs ← Alumacraft VS170 2006 full specs