Alumacraft MV 1860 AW 2004 vs Alumacraft VS170 2005 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Alumacraft MV 1860 AW 2004 or the Alumacraft VS170 2005?

For trailering, the Alumacraft MV 1860 AW 2004 has the edge at 5 lbs dry weight versus 852 lbs for the Alumacraft VS170 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: Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Alumacraft VS170 2005 is rated to a maximum of 90 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Alumacraft MV 1860 AW 2004 tops out at 50 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 2004 is Coast Guard rated for 6 passengers, while the Alumacraft VS170 2005 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 2004 measures 86" wide, compared to 74" for the Alumacraft VS170 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 1860 AW 2004 and Alumacraft VS170 2005 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Alumacraft MV 1860 AW 2004 and the Alumacraft VS170 2005 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 2004 vs Alumacraft VS170 2005

Alumacraft

Alumacraft MV 1860 AW 2004

2004

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Alumacraft

Alumacraft VS170 2005

2005

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Alumacraft MV 1860 AW 2004 vs Alumacraft VS170 2005 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Alumacraft MV 1860 AW 2004 vs Alumacraft VS170 2005 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 90 hp, the Alumacraft VS170 2005 has a 40-hp advantage over the Alumacraft MV 1860 AW 2004's 50-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 2004 is rated for 6 passengers, while the Alumacraft VS170 2005 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 2004 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Alumacraft MV 1860 AW 2004 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 6 passengers and at 0,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Alumacraft VS170 2005 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

ModelVS17

Model Year2004

Model Year2005

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam86 in

Beam74 in. (1.88 m) Bottom: 52 in.(1.32 m)

Beam - Meters2.18

Beam - Meters1.88

Beam - Inches86

Beam - Inches74

Weight - Detail500 lbs

Weight - Detail852 lbs. (387 kg)

Weight - kg226.8

Weight - kg386.46

Weight - lbs.5

Weight - lbs.852

Height - Detail25 in

Height - Detail22 in. (.56 m)

Height - Meters0.64

Height - Meters0.56

Height - Inches25

Height - Inches22

Height [transom]21 in

Height [transom]22 in. (.56 m)

Length overall - Detail18 ft

Length overall - Detail17 ft. 0 in. (5.18 m)

Length overall - Meters5.49

Length overall - Meters5.18

Length overall - Inches216

Length overall - Inches204

Width [transom] - Detailnot available

Width [transom] - Detail74 in. (1.88 m)

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Meters5.18

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Feet17

Body / Hull

Hull materialAluminum

Hull thicknessnot available

Hull thicknessBottom/sides: .102 in. (2.5 mm)

Engine and Drivetrain

Engine max50 hp w/Tiller Steering; 75 hp w/Console Steering

Engine max90 hp (67 kw)

Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Detail18 gal. (68 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Litersnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Liters68.14

Fuel tank capacity - Galnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Gal18

Operational Info

Maximum people6 persons

Maximum people4

Alumacraft MV 1860 AW 2004 vs Alumacraft VS170 2005 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Alumacraft MV 1860 AW 2004 or the Alumacraft VS170 2005?

For trailering, the Alumacraft MV 1860 AW 2004 has the edge at 5 lbs dry weight versus 852 lbs for the Alumacraft VS170 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.

Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Alumacraft VS170 2005 is rated to a maximum of 90 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Alumacraft MV 1860 AW 2004 tops out at 50 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 2004 is Coast Guard rated for 6 passengers, while the Alumacraft VS170 2005 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 2004 measures 86" wide, compared to 74" for the Alumacraft VS170 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 1860 AW 2004 and Alumacraft VS170 2005 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Alumacraft MV 1860 AW 2004 and the Alumacraft VS170 2005 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 2004 full specs ← Alumacraft VS170 2005 full specs