Alumacraft Magnum 175CS 2001 vs Alumacraft V-Bow 1860 AW Tunnel SPL 2005 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Alumacraft Magnum 175CS 2001 or the Alumacraft V-Bow 1860 AW Tunnel SPL 2005?

For trailering, the Alumacraft V-Bow 1860 AW Tunnel SPL 2005 has the edge at 105 lbs dry weight versus 903 lbs for the Alumacraft Magnum 175CS 2001. 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: What is the maximum horsepower rating for these boats?

The Alumacraft V-Bow 1860 AW Tunnel SPL 2005 has a documented max rating of 115 hp. Engine specifications for the Alumacraft Magnum 175CS 2001 were not available in our database — check the OEM spec sheet or manufacturer's website for confirmation.

Q: How many people can each boat hold?

The Alumacraft Magnum 175CS 2001 is Coast Guard rated for 5 passengers, while the Alumacraft V-Bow 1860 AW Tunnel SPL 2005 is certified for 6. 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 175CS 2001 measures 88" wide, compared to 86" for the Alumacraft V-Bow 1860 AW Tunnel SPL 2005. 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 175CS 2001 or the Alumacraft V-Bow 1860 AW Tunnel SPL 2005?

The Alumacraft Magnum 175CS 2001 has the bigger tank at 34 gallons, versus 8 gallons on the Alumacraft V-Bow 1860 AW Tunnel SPL 2005. That 26-gallon difference translates to roughly 79–132 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Alumacraft Magnum 175CS 2001 and Alumacraft V-Bow 1860 AW Tunnel SPL 2005 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Alumacraft Magnum 175CS 2001 and the Alumacraft V-Bow 1860 AW Tunnel SPL 2005 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 175CS 2001 vs Alumacraft V-Bow 1860 AW Tunnel SPL 2005

Alumacraft

Alumacraft Magnum 175CS 2001

2001

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Alumacraft

Alumacraft V-Bow 1860 AW Tunnel SPL 2005

2005

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Alumacraft Magnum 175CS 2001 vs Alumacraft V-Bow 1860 AW Tunnel SPL 2005 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Alumacraft Magnum 175CS 2001 vs Alumacraft V-Bow 1860 AW Tunnel SPL 2005 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 Alumacraft V-Bow 1860 AW Tunnel SPL 2005 tops out at 115 hp. Engine specs for the Alumacraft Magnum 175CS 2001 aren't listed — confirm with a dealer before selecting an outboard.Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Alumacraft Magnum 175CS 2001 carries 34 gallons versus 8 gallons in the Alumacraft V-Bow 1860 AW Tunnel SPL 2005. 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 V-Bow 1860 AW Tunnel SPL 2005 is rated for 6 passengers, while the Alumacraft Magnum 175CS 2001 caps at 5. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Alumacraft V-Bow 1860 AW Tunnel SPL 2005 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Alumacraft V-Bow 1860 AW Tunnel SPL 2005 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 6 passengers and at 18,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Alumacraft Magnum 175CS 2001 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 5 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeAlumacraft

ModelMagnum 175CS

ModelV-Bow 1860 AW Tunnel SPL

Model Year2001

Model Year2005

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam88"

Beam86 in

Beam - Meters2.24

Beam - Meters2.18

Beam - Inches88

Beam - Inches86

Weight - Detail903 lbs

Weight - Detail1,050 lbs

Weight - kg409.59

Weight - kg476.27

Weight - lbs.903

Weight - lbs.105

Length overall - Detail17' 11"

Length overall - Detail18 ft. 0 in

Length overall - Meters5.18

Length overall - Meters5.49

Length overall - Inches204

Length overall - Inches216

Width [transom] - Detailnot available

Width [transom] - Detail60 in

Height - Detailnot available

Height - Detail25 in

Height - Metersnot available

Height - Meters0.64

Height - Inchesnot available

Height - Inches25

Height [transom]not available

Height [transom]21 in

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Feet18

Body / Hull

Hull materialAluminum

Hull thicknessnot available

Hull thicknessBottom/sides: 0.102 in

Engine and Drivetrain

Engine/s standard50 - 130 hp

Engine/s standardnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Detail34 gallons

Fuel tank capacity - DetailTwo 7.5 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Liters128.7

Fuel tank capacity - Liters30.28

Fuel tank capacity - Gal34

Fuel tank capacity - Gal7.5

Engine maxnot available

Engine max115 hp

Operational Info

Maximum people5 person

Maximum people6

Alumacraft Magnum 175CS 2001 vs Alumacraft V-Bow 1860 AW Tunnel SPL 2005 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Alumacraft Magnum 175CS 2001 or the Alumacraft V-Bow 1860 AW Tunnel SPL 2005?

For trailering, the Alumacraft V-Bow 1860 AW Tunnel SPL 2005 has the edge at 105 lbs dry weight versus 903 lbs for the Alumacraft Magnum 175CS 2001. 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.

What is the maximum horsepower rating for these boats?

The Alumacraft V-Bow 1860 AW Tunnel SPL 2005 has a documented max rating of 115 hp. Engine specifications for the Alumacraft Magnum 175CS 2001 were not available in our database — check the OEM spec sheet or manufacturer's website for confirmation.

How many people can each boat hold?

The Alumacraft Magnum 175CS 2001 is Coast Guard rated for 5 passengers, while the Alumacraft V-Bow 1860 AW Tunnel SPL 2005 is certified for 6. 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 175CS 2001 measures 88" wide, compared to 86" for the Alumacraft V-Bow 1860 AW Tunnel SPL 2005. 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 175CS 2001 or the Alumacraft V-Bow 1860 AW Tunnel SPL 2005?

The Alumacraft Magnum 175CS 2001 has the bigger tank at 34 gallons, versus 8 gallons on the Alumacraft V-Bow 1860 AW Tunnel SPL 2005. That 26-gallon difference translates to roughly 79–132 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Alumacraft Magnum 175CS 2001 and Alumacraft V-Bow 1860 AW Tunnel SPL 2005 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Alumacraft Magnum 175CS 2001 and the Alumacraft V-Bow 1860 AW Tunnel SPL 2005 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 175CS 2001 full specs ← Alumacraft V-Bow 1860 AW Tunnel SPL 2005 full specs