Alumacraft MV 1648 NCS 2005 vs Alumacraft MV 1546 AW 2004 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Alumacraft MV 1648 NCS 2005 or the Alumacraft MV 1546 AW 2004?

For trailering, the Alumacraft MV 1546 AW 2004 has the edge at 25 lbs dry weight versus 31 lbs for the Alumacraft MV 1648 NCS 2005. 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: How many people can each boat hold?

The Alumacraft MV 1648 NCS 2005 is Coast Guard rated for 5 passengers, while the Alumacraft MV 1546 AW 2004 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 MV 1546 AW 2004 measures 65" wide, compared to 7" for the Alumacraft MV 1648 NCS 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: Are the Alumacraft MV 1648 NCS 2005 and Alumacraft MV 1546 AW 2004 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Alumacraft MV 1648 NCS 2005 and the Alumacraft MV 1546 AW 2004 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 1648 NCS 2005 vs Alumacraft MV 1546 AW 2004

Alumacraft

Alumacraft MV 1648 NCS 2005

2005

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Alumacraft

Alumacraft MV 1546 AW 2004

2004

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Alumacraft MV 1648 NCS 2005 vs Alumacraft MV 1546 AW 2004 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Alumacraft MV 1648 NCS 2005 vs Alumacraft MV 1546 AW 2004 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.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Alumacraft MV 1648 NCS 2005 is rated for 5 passengers, while the Alumacraft MV 1546 AW 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 MV 1648 NCS 2005 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Alumacraft MV 1648 NCS 2005 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 1546 AW 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 1648 NCS

ModelMV 1546 AW

Model Year2005

Model Year2004

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam70 in

Beam65 in

Beam - Meters1.78

Beam - Meters1.65

Beam - Inches7

Beam - Inches65

Weight - Detail310 lbs

Weight - Detail250 lbs

Weight - kg140.61

Weight - kg113.4

Weight - lbs.31

Weight - lbs.25

Width [transom] - Detail48 in

Width [transom] - Detailnot available

Height - Detail21 in

Height - Detail20 in

Height - Meters0.53

Height - Meters0.51

Height - Inches21

Height - Inches2

Height [transom]15 in. or 20 in

Height [transom]15 in

Length - Feet16

Length - Feetnot available

Length overall - Detail16 ft. 0 in

Length overall - Detail15 ft

Length overall - Meters4.88

Length overall - Meters4.57

Length overall - Inches192

Length overall - Inches18

Draft [drive up] - Detailnot available

Draft [drive up] - DetailN/A

Body / Hull

Hull materialAluminum

Hull thicknessBottom/sides: .070 in

Hull thicknessnot available

Engine and Drivetrain

Engine/s standard40 hp

Engine/s standard25 hp

Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available

Fuel tank capacity - DetailN/A

Operational Info

Maximum people5

Maximum people4 persons

Water capacitynot available

Water capacityN/A

Trailer Info

Trailer - Detailnot available

Trailer - DetailN/A

Alumacraft MV 1648 NCS 2005 vs Alumacraft MV 1546 AW 2004 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Alumacraft MV 1648 NCS 2005 or the Alumacraft MV 1546 AW 2004?

For trailering, the Alumacraft MV 1546 AW 2004 has the edge at 25 lbs dry weight versus 31 lbs for the Alumacraft MV 1648 NCS 2005. 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.

How many people can each boat hold?

The Alumacraft MV 1648 NCS 2005 is Coast Guard rated for 5 passengers, while the Alumacraft MV 1546 AW 2004 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 MV 1546 AW 2004 measures 65" wide, compared to 7" for the Alumacraft MV 1648 NCS 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.

Are the Alumacraft MV 1648 NCS 2005 and Alumacraft MV 1546 AW 2004 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Alumacraft MV 1648 NCS 2005 and the Alumacraft MV 1546 AW 2004 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 1648 NCS 2005 full specs ← Alumacraft MV 1546 AW 2004 full specs