When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Alumacraft MV 1860 W Special 2013 and the Alumacraft VS170 2008 are modified vee designs with aluminum construction — the buying decision usually comes down to a handful of practical questions: how many people are you putting on the water, how far do you trailer, and what does your tow vehicle weigh?

On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Alumacraft MV 1860 W Special 2013 at 18,0 ft versus Alumacraft VS170 2008 at 17,0 ft. At 865 lbs and 852 lbs respectively, both sit in a similar weight class — either should pair comfortably with most mid-size SUVs and half-ton trucks, though always confirm your specific tow rating with the motor added.

The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 115 hp, the Alumacraft MV 1860 W Special 2013 has a 45-hp advantage over the Alumacraft VS170 2008's 70-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Alumacraft VS170 2008 carries 16 gallons versus 2 gallons in the Alumacraft MV 1860 W Special 2013. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Alumacraft MV 1860 W Special 2013 is rated for 5 passengers, while the Alumacraft VS170 2008 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 W Special 2013 could be the deciding factor.

At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Alumacraft MV 1860 W Special 2013 comes in at 8 lbs per hp versus 12 lbs per hp for the Alumacraft VS170 2008. 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.