Matching a flat Alumacraft MV 1860 AW Special Tunnel 2008 against a modified vee Alumacraft VS170 2007 means you're likely deciding between two genuinely different on-water experiences. Hull type shapes everything from ride quality and fuel burn to dock handling and resale trajectory.

On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Alumacraft MV 1860 AW Special Tunnel 2008 at 18,0 ft versus Alumacraft VS170 2007 at 17,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Alumacraft VS170 2007 tips the scales at 852 lbs — 747 lbs less than the Alumacraft MV 1860 AW Special Tunnel 2008 at 105 lbs. That difference is meaningful if you're working within a half-ton or three-quarter-ton truck's tow rating, especially once you factor in a motor, gear, and fuel.

The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 115 hp, the Alumacraft MV 1860 AW Special Tunnel 2008 has a 45-hp advantage over the Alumacraft VS170 2007's 70-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Both carry nearly identical fuel loads — 16 gal and 16 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Alumacraft MV 1860 AW Special Tunnel 2008 is rated for 6 passengers, while the Alumacraft VS170 2007 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 1860 AW Special Tunnel 2008 could be the deciding factor.

At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Alumacraft MV 1860 AW Special Tunnel 2008 comes in at 1 lbs per hp versus 12 lbs per hp for the Alumacraft VS170 2007. The lower the ratio the more explosive the acceleration — meaningful on a short RIB where bursts of speed, quick planing, and agility in surf or tight waterways define the experience.