Alumacraft MV 1542 NCS 2004 vs Alumacraft Navigator 165 CS 2007 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Alumacraft MV 1542 NCS 2004 or the Alumacraft Navigator 165 CS 2007?

For trailering, the Alumacraft MV 1542 NCS 2004 has the edge at 23 lbs dry weight versus 965 lbs for the Alumacraft Navigator 165 CS 2007. 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 Navigator 165 CS 2007 is rated to a maximum of 90 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Alumacraft MV 1542 NCS 2004 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.

Q: How many people can each boat hold?

The Alumacraft MV 1542 NCS 2004 is Coast Guard rated for 4 passengers, while the Alumacraft Navigator 165 CS 2007 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 Navigator 165 CS 2007 measures 91" wide, compared to 62" for the Alumacraft MV 1542 NCS 2004. 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 MV 1542 NCS 2004 and Alumacraft Navigator 165 CS 2007 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Alumacraft MV 1542 NCS 2004 and the Alumacraft Navigator 165 CS 2007 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 MV 1542 NCS 2004 vs Alumacraft Navigator 165 CS 2007

Alumacraft

Alumacraft MV 1542 NCS 2004

2004

View full specs →

Alumacraft

Alumacraft Navigator 165 CS 2007

2007

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Alumacraft MV 1542 NCS 2004 vs Alumacraft Navigator 165 CS 2007 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Alumacraft MV 1542 NCS 2004 vs Alumacraft Navigator 165 CS 2007 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 90 hp, the Alumacraft Navigator 165 CS 2007 has a 65-hp advantage over the Alumacraft MV 1542 NCS 2004's 25-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 Navigator 165 CS 2007 is rated for 5 passengers, while the Alumacraft MV 1542 NCS 2004 caps at 4. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Alumacraft Navigator 165 CS 2007 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Alumacraft Navigator 165 CS 2007 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 5 passengers and at 16,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Alumacraft MV 1542 NCS 2004 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

ModelMV 1542 NCS

ModelNavigator 165 CS

Model Year2004

Model Year2007

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam62 in

Beam91 in. (2.3 m)

Beam - Meters1.57

Beam - Meters2.31

Beam - Inches62

Beam - Inches91

Weight - Detail230 lbs

Weight - Detail965 lbs. (438 kg)

Weight - kg104.33

Weight - kg437.72

Weight - lbs.23

Weight - lbs.965

Height - Detail20 in

Height - Detailnot available

Height - Meters0.51

Height - Metersnot available

Height - Inches2

Height - Inchesnot available

Height [transom]15 in

Height [transom]20 in. (0.51 m)

Length overall - Detail15 ft

Length overall - Detail16 ft. 8 in. (5 m)

Length overall - Meters4.57

Length overall - Meters5.08

Length overall - Inches18

Length overall - Inches2

Depth - Detailnot available

Depth - DetailMaximum: 43 in. (1.09 m) To Floor: 23 in. (0.57 m)

Depth - Centimetersnot available

Depth - Centimeters109.22

Depth - Inchesnot available

Depth - Inches43

Width [transom] - Detailnot available

Width [transom] - Detail90 in. (2.29 m)

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Meters5

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Feet16

Length - Inchesnot available

Length - Inches8

Body / Hull

Hull materialAluminum

Hull thicknessnot available

Hull thicknessBottom: 0.100 in. (2.54 mm)

Hull typenot available

Hull typeModified Vee

Engine and Drivetrain

Engine max25 hp w/Tiller Steering

Engine max90 hp (67 kW)

Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Detail22 gal. (83 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Litersnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Liters83.28

Fuel tank capacity - Galnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Gal22

Fuel typenot available

Fuel typeGas

Drive typenot available

Drive typeOutboard

Operational Info

Maximum people4 persons

Maximum people5

Maximum capacitynot available

Maximum capacity1,340 lbs. (607 kg)

Alumacraft MV 1542 NCS 2004 vs Alumacraft Navigator 165 CS 2007 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Alumacraft MV 1542 NCS 2004 or the Alumacraft Navigator 165 CS 2007?

For trailering, the Alumacraft MV 1542 NCS 2004 has the edge at 23 lbs dry weight versus 965 lbs for the Alumacraft Navigator 165 CS 2007. 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 CS 2007 is rated to a maximum of 90 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Alumacraft MV 1542 NCS 2004 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 MV 1542 NCS 2004 is Coast Guard rated for 4 passengers, while the Alumacraft Navigator 165 CS 2007 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 Navigator 165 CS 2007 measures 91" wide, compared to 62" for the Alumacraft MV 1542 NCS 2004. 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 MV 1542 NCS 2004 and Alumacraft Navigator 165 CS 2007 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Alumacraft MV 1542 NCS 2004 and the Alumacraft Navigator 165 CS 2007 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 MV 1542 NCS 2004 full specs ← Alumacraft Navigator 165 CS 2007 full specs