Matching a deep vee Alumacraft Navigator 165 CS 2011 against a modified vee Alumacraft Sierra MV 1648 NCS 2012 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 Navigator 165 CS 2011 at 16,7 ft versus Alumacraft Sierra MV 1648 NCS 2012 at 16,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Alumacraft Navigator 165 CS 2011 tips the scales at 965 lbs — 934 lbs more than the Alumacraft Sierra MV 1648 NCS 2012 at 31 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 90 hp, the Alumacraft Navigator 165 CS 2011 has a 55-hp advantage over the Alumacraft Sierra MV 1648 NCS 2012's 35-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load.
Both boats are rated for 5 passengers — a good fit for a family of four or five plus guests. Comfort at capacity is another matter; the longer hull typically means more seat options and better weight distribution.
At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Alumacraft Sierra MV 1648 NCS 2012 comes in at 1 lbs per hp versus 11 lbs per hp for the Alumacraft Navigator 165 CS 2011. 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.
Bottom line: Performance buyers should lean toward the Alumacraft Navigator 165 CS 2011 and its 90-hp ceiling. If fuel economy and quieter running matter more than top-end speed, the Alumacraft Sierra MV 1648 NCS 2012 with its 35-hp rating is the more economical daily driver.