Matching a deep vee Alumacraft Navigator 165 Sport 2008 against a modified vee Alumacraft VS170 2007 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 Sport 2008 at 16,0 ft versus Alumacraft VS170 2007 at 17,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Alumacraft VS170 2007 tips the scales at 852 lbs — 747 lbs less than the Alumacraft Navigator 165 Sport 2008 at 105 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.
Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling — 90 hp for the Alumacraft Navigator 165 Sport 2008 and 70 hp for the Alumacraft VS170 2007. Real-world performance will come down more to which motor is actually bolted on, its load at the time, and whether it's a 4-stroke or 2-stroke setup. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Alumacraft VS170 2007 carries 16 gallons versus 2 gallons in the Alumacraft Navigator 165 Sport 2008. 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 Navigator 165 Sport 2008 is rated for 5 passengers, while the Alumacraft VS170 2007 caps at 4. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Alumacraft Navigator 165 Sport 2008 could be the deciding factor.
At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Alumacraft Navigator 165 Sport 2008 comes in at 1 lbs per hp versus 12 lbs per hp for the Alumacraft VS170 2007. 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: Choose the Alumacraft Navigator 165 Sport 2008 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 5 passengers and at 16,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Alumacraft VS170 2007 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 4 that costs less to run day-to-day.