Alumacraft MV 1648 2003 vs Alumacraft MV 1860 AW 2010 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Alumacraft MV 1648 2003 or the Alumacraft MV 1860 AW 2010?

For trailering, the Alumacraft MV 1648 2003 has the edge at 27 lbs dry weight versus 68 lbs for the Alumacraft MV 1860 AW 2010. 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 MV 1860 AW 2010 is rated to a maximum of 50 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Alumacraft MV 1648 2003 tops out at 40 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 1648 2003 is Coast Guard rated for 5 passengers, while the Alumacraft MV 1860 AW 2010 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 MV 1860 AW 2010 measures 86" wide, compared to 7" for the Alumacraft MV 1648 2003. 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 2003 and Alumacraft MV 1860 AW 2010 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Alumacraft MV 1648 2003 and the Alumacraft MV 1860 AW 2010 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 2003 vs Alumacraft MV 1860 AW 2010

Alumacraft

Alumacraft MV 1648 2003

2003

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Alumacraft

Alumacraft MV 1860 AW 2010

2010

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Alumacraft MV 1648 2003 vs Alumacraft MV 1860 AW 2010 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Alumacraft MV 1648 2003 vs Alumacraft MV 1860 AW 2010 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.

Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling — 40 hp for the Alumacraft MV 1648 2003 and 50 hp for the Alumacraft MV 1860 AW 2010. Real-world performance will come down more to which motor is actually bolted on, its load at the time, and whether it's a 4-stroke or 2-stroke setup.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Alumacraft MV 1860 AW 2010 is rated for 6 passengers, while the Alumacraft MV 1648 2003 caps at 5. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Alumacraft MV 1860 AW 2010 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Alumacraft MV 1860 AW 2010 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 MV 1648 2003 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

ModelMV 1648

ModelMV 1860 AW

Model Year2003

Model Year201

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam70 in

Beam86 in. (2.18 m)

Beam - Meters1.78

Beam - Meters2.18

Beam - Inches7

Beam - Inches86

Draft [drive up] - DetailN/A

Draft [drive up] - Detailnot available

Weight - Detail270 lbs

Weight - Detail680 lbs. (308 kg)

Weight - kg122.47

Weight - kg308.44

Weight - lbs.27

Weight - lbs.68

Height - Detail21 in

Height - Detail25 in. (.64 m)

Height - Meters0.53

Height - Meters0.64

Height - Inches21

Height - Inches25

Height [transom]15 in

Height [transom]21 in. (.53 m)

Length overall - Detail16 ft

Length overall - Detail18 ft. (5.5 m)

Length overall - Meters4.88

Length overall - Meters5.49

Length overall - Inches192

Length overall - Inches216

Width [transom] - Detailnot available

Width [transom] - Detail60 in. (1.52 m)

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Meters5.5

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Feet18

Body / Hull

Hull materialAluminum

Hull thicknessnot available

Hull thickness0.102 in. (2.6 mm)

Hull typenot available

Hull typeModified Vee

Engine and Drivetrain

Engine/s standard40 hp

Engine/s standardnot available

Fuel tank capacity - DetailN/A

Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available

Engine max40 hp TillerMaximum outboard power w/Tiller Steering

Engine max50 hp (37 kW)

Fuel typenot available

Fuel typeGas

Drive typenot available

Drive typeOutboard

Operational Info

Water capacityN/A

Water capacitynot available

Maximum people5 persons

Maximum people6

Maximum capacitynot available

Maximum capacity1,600 lbs. (725.7 kg)

Trailer Info

Trailer - DetailN/A

Trailer - Detailnot available

Alumacraft MV 1648 2003 vs Alumacraft MV 1860 AW 2010 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Alumacraft MV 1648 2003 or the Alumacraft MV 1860 AW 2010?

For trailering, the Alumacraft MV 1648 2003 has the edge at 27 lbs dry weight versus 68 lbs for the Alumacraft MV 1860 AW 2010. 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 MV 1860 AW 2010 is rated to a maximum of 50 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Alumacraft MV 1648 2003 tops out at 40 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 1648 2003 is Coast Guard rated for 5 passengers, while the Alumacraft MV 1860 AW 2010 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 MV 1860 AW 2010 measures 86" wide, compared to 7" for the Alumacraft MV 1648 2003. 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 2003 and Alumacraft MV 1860 AW 2010 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Alumacraft MV 1648 2003 and the Alumacraft MV 1860 AW 2010 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 2003 full specs ← Alumacraft MV 1860 AW 2010 full specs