Alumacraft MV 1860 AW Special 2006 vs Alumacraft MV Super Hawk 2004 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Alumacraft MV 1860 AW Special 2006 or the Alumacraft MV Super Hawk 2004?

For trailering, the Alumacraft MV 1860 AW Special 2006 has the edge at 105 lbs dry weight versus 487 lbs for the Alumacraft MV Super Hawk 2004. 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 Special 2006 is rated to a maximum of 115 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Alumacraft MV Super Hawk 2004 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 1860 AW Special 2006 is Coast Guard rated for 6 passengers, while the Alumacraft MV Super Hawk 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 1860 AW Special 2006 measures 86" wide, compared to 62" for the Alumacraft MV Super Hawk 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 1860 AW Special 2006 and Alumacraft MV Super Hawk 2004 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Alumacraft MV 1860 AW Special 2006 and the Alumacraft MV Super Hawk 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 1860 AW Special 2006 vs Alumacraft MV Super Hawk 2004

Alumacraft

Alumacraft MV 1860 AW Special 2006

2006

View full specs →

Alumacraft

Alumacraft MV Super Hawk 2004

2004

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Alumacraft MV 1860 AW Special 2006 vs Alumacraft MV Super Hawk 2004 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Alumacraft MV 1860 AW Special 2006 vs Alumacraft MV Super Hawk 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.

The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 115 hp, the Alumacraft MV 1860 AW Special 2006 has a 75-hp advantage over the Alumacraft MV Super Hawk 2004's 40-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 MV 1860 AW Special 2006 is rated for 6 passengers, while the Alumacraft MV Super Hawk 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 1860 AW Special 2006 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Alumacraft MV 1860 AW Special 2006 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 Super Hawk 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 1860 AW Special

ModelMV Super Hawk

Model Year2006

Model Year2004

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam86 in

Beam62 in. Bottom: 42 in

Beam - Meters2.18

Beam - Meters1.57

Beam - Inches86

Beam - Inches62

Weight - Detail1,050 lbs

Weight - Detail487 lbs

Weight - kg476.27

Weight - kg220.9

Weight - lbs.105

Weight - lbs.487

Width [transom] - Detail60 in

Width [transom] - Detailnot available

Height - Detail25 in

Height - Detail20 in

Height - Meters0.64

Height - Meters0.51

Height - Inches25

Height - Inches2

Height [transom]21 in

Height [transom]20 in. Width: 60 in

Length - Feet18

Length - Feetnot available

Length overall - Detail18 ft. 0 in

Length overall - Detail15 ft. 0 in

Length overall - Meters5.49

Length overall - Meters4.57

Length overall - Inches216

Length overall - Inches18

Draft [drive up] - Detailnot available

Draft [drive up] - Detailn/a

Body / Hull

Hull materialAluminum

Hull thickness.102 in

Hull thicknessnot available

Hull typeModified Vee

Hull typenot available

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail16 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Detailn/a

Fuel tank capacity - Liters60.57

Fuel tank capacity - Litersnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Gal16

Fuel tank capacity - Galnot available

Fuel typeGas

Fuel typenot available

Drive typeOutboard

Drive typenot available

Engine max115 hp

Engine max40 hp

Operational Info

Maximum capacity1,600 lbs

Maximum capacitynot available

Maximum people6

Maximum people4 persons

Water capacitynot available

Water capacityn/a

Trailer Info

Trailer - Detailnot available

Trailer - Detailn/a

Alumacraft MV 1860 AW Special 2006 vs Alumacraft MV Super Hawk 2004 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Alumacraft MV 1860 AW Special 2006 or the Alumacraft MV Super Hawk 2004?

For trailering, the Alumacraft MV 1860 AW Special 2006 has the edge at 105 lbs dry weight versus 487 lbs for the Alumacraft MV Super Hawk 2004. 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 Special 2006 is rated to a maximum of 115 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Alumacraft MV Super Hawk 2004 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 1860 AW Special 2006 is Coast Guard rated for 6 passengers, while the Alumacraft MV Super Hawk 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 1860 AW Special 2006 measures 86" wide, compared to 62" for the Alumacraft MV Super Hawk 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 1860 AW Special 2006 and Alumacraft MV Super Hawk 2004 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Alumacraft MV 1860 AW Special 2006 and the Alumacraft MV Super Hawk 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 1860 AW Special 2006 full specs ← Alumacraft MV Super Hawk 2004 full specs