Alumacraft MV 1860 AW Special 2010 vs Alumacraft Waterfowler 15 Tunnel 2002 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Alumacraft MV 1860 AW Special 2010 or the Alumacraft Waterfowler 15 Tunnel 2002?

For trailering, the Alumacraft Waterfowler 15 Tunnel 2002 has the edge at 33 lbs dry weight versus 105 lbs for the Alumacraft MV 1860 AW Special 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 Special 2010 is rated to a maximum of 115 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Alumacraft Waterfowler 15 Tunnel 2002 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 1860 AW Special 2010 is Coast Guard rated for 6 passengers, while the Alumacraft Waterfowler 15 Tunnel 2002 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 2010 measures 86" wide, compared to 65" for the Alumacraft Waterfowler 15 Tunnel 2002. 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 2010 and Alumacraft Waterfowler 15 Tunnel 2002 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Alumacraft MV 1860 AW Special 2010 and the Alumacraft Waterfowler 15 Tunnel 2002 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 2010 vs Alumacraft Waterfowler 15 Tunnel 2002

Alumacraft

Alumacraft MV 1860 AW Special 2010

2010

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Alumacraft

Alumacraft Waterfowler 15 Tunnel 2002

2002

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Alumacraft MV 1860 AW Special 2010 vs Alumacraft Waterfowler 15 Tunnel 2002 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Alumacraft MV 1860 AW Special 2010 vs Alumacraft Waterfowler 15 Tunnel 2002 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 2010 has a 90-hp advantage over the Alumacraft Waterfowler 15 Tunnel 2002'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 MV 1860 AW Special 2010 is rated for 6 passengers, while the Alumacraft Waterfowler 15 Tunnel 2002 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 2010 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Alumacraft MV 1860 AW Special 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 Waterfowler 15 Tunnel 2002 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

ModelWaterfowler 15 Tunnel

Model Year201

Model Year2002

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam86 in. (2.18 m)

Beam65 in

Beam - Meters2.18

Beam - Meters1.65

Beam - Inches86

Beam - Inches65

Weight - Detail1,050 lbs. (476.3 kg)

Weight - Detail330 lbs

Weight - kg476.27

Weight - kg149.69

Weight - lbs.105

Weight - lbs.33

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

Width [transom] - Detailnot available

Height - Detail25 in. (.64 m)

Height - Detail20 in

Height - Meters0.64

Height - Meters0.51

Height - Inches25

Height - Inches2

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

Height [transom]15 in

Length - Meters5.5

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Feet18

Length - Feetnot available

Length overall - Detail18 ft. (5.5 m)

Length overall - Detail15 ft

Length overall - Meters5.49

Length overall - Meters4.57

Length overall - Inches216

Length overall - Inches18

Body / Hull

Hull materialAluminum

Hull thickness0.102 in. (2.6 mm)

Hull thicknessnot available

Hull typeModified Vee

Hull typenot available

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail16 gal. (60.57 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available

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 (86 kW)

Engine max25 hp w/Tiller Steering

Operational Info

Maximum capacity1,600 lbs. (725.7 kg)

Maximum capacitynot available

Maximum people6

Maximum people4 persons

Alumacraft MV 1860 AW Special 2010 vs Alumacraft Waterfowler 15 Tunnel 2002 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Alumacraft MV 1860 AW Special 2010 or the Alumacraft Waterfowler 15 Tunnel 2002?

For trailering, the Alumacraft Waterfowler 15 Tunnel 2002 has the edge at 33 lbs dry weight versus 105 lbs for the Alumacraft MV 1860 AW Special 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 Special 2010 is rated to a maximum of 115 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Alumacraft Waterfowler 15 Tunnel 2002 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 1860 AW Special 2010 is Coast Guard rated for 6 passengers, while the Alumacraft Waterfowler 15 Tunnel 2002 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 2010 measures 86" wide, compared to 65" for the Alumacraft Waterfowler 15 Tunnel 2002. 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 2010 and Alumacraft Waterfowler 15 Tunnel 2002 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Alumacraft MV 1860 AW Special 2010 and the Alumacraft Waterfowler 15 Tunnel 2002 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 2010 full specs ← Alumacraft Waterfowler 15 Tunnel 2002 full specs