Alumacraft Navigator 165 Tiller 2008 boat specs
Alumacraft
Alumacraft Navigator 165 Tiller 2008
2008
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Alumacraft VB 1650 AW  Tunnel   2008 boat specs
Alumacraft
Alumacraft VB 1650 AW Tunnel 2008
2008
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Alumacraft Navigator 165 Tiller 2008 vs Alumacraft VB 1650 AW Tunnel 2008 — Same Brand, Different Boat

Matching a deep vee Alumacraft Navigator 165 Tiller 2008 against a flat Alumacraft VB 1650 AW Tunnel 2008 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 Tiller 2008 at 16,0 ft versus Alumacraft VB 1650 AW Tunnel 2008 at 16,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Alumacraft Navigator 165 Tiller 2008 tips the scales at 925 lbs — 440 lbs more than the Alumacraft VB 1650 AW Tunnel 2008 at 485 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 75 hp, the Alumacraft Navigator 165 Tiller 2008 has a 35-hp advantage over the Alumacraft VB 1650 AW Tunnel 2008's 40-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 VB 1650 AW Tunnel 2008 comes in at 12 lbs per hp versus 12 lbs per hp for the Alumacraft Navigator 165 Tiller 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.

Bottom line: Performance buyers should lean toward the Alumacraft Navigator 165 Tiller 2008 and its 75-hp ceiling. If fuel economy and quieter running matter more than top-end speed, the Alumacraft VB 1650 AW Tunnel 2008 with its 40-hp rating is the more economical daily driver.
General Boat Info
MakeAlumacraft
MakeAlumacraft
ModelNavigator 165 Tiller
ModelVB 1650 AW Tunnel
Model Year2008
Model Year2008
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam91 in. (2.3 m)
Beam74 in
Beam - Meters2.31
Beam - Meters1.88
Beam - Inches91
Beam - Inches74
Depth - DetailMaximum: 42 in. (1.07 m) To Floor: 23 in. (0.57 m)
Depth - Detailnot available
Depth - Centimeters106.68
Depth - Centimetersnot available
Depth - Inches42
Depth - Inchesnot available
Weight - Detail925 lbs. (420 kg)
Weight - Detail485 lbs
Weight - kg419.57
Weight - kg219.99
Weight - lbs.925
Weight - lbs.485
Width [transom] - Detail90 in. (2.29 m)
Width [transom] - Detail50 in
Height [transom]20 in. (0.51 m)
Height [transom]21 in
Length - Meters5
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Feet16
Length - Feet16
Length - Inches8
Length - Inchesnot available
Length overall - Detail16 ft. 8 in. (5 m)
Length overall - Detail16 ft
Length overall - Meters5.08
Length overall - Meters4.88
Length overall - Inches2
Length overall - Inches192
Height - Detailnot available
Height - Detail22 in
Height - Metersnot available
Height - Meters0.56
Height - Inchesnot available
Height - Inches22
Body / Hull
Hull materialAluminum
Hull materialAluminum
Hull thicknessBottom: 0.080 in. (2 mm)
Hull thickness0.102 in
Hull typeDeep Vee
Hull typeFlat
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail20 gal. (76 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Liters75.71
Fuel tank capacity - Litersnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Gal2
Fuel tank capacity - Galnot available
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typeGas
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeOutboard
Engine max75 hp (56 kW)
Engine max40 hp, 60 hp with optional console and optional floor plan
Operational Info
Maximum capacity1,245 lbs. (564 kg)
Maximum capacity770 lbs
Maximum people5
Maximum people5

Alumacraft Navigator 165 Tiller 2008 vs Alumacraft VB 1650 AW Tunnel 2008 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Alumacraft Navigator 165 Tiller 2008 or the Alumacraft VB 1650 AW Tunnel 2008?
The Alumacraft VB 1650 AW Tunnel 2008 is the longer of the two at 16,0 feet overall. The Alumacraft Navigator 165 Tiller 2008 comes in at 16,0 feet, making it roughly 0,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.
Which is easier to trailer — the Alumacraft Navigator 165 Tiller 2008 or the Alumacraft VB 1650 AW Tunnel 2008?
For trailering, the Alumacraft VB 1650 AW Tunnel 2008 has the edge at 485 lbs dry weight versus 925 lbs for the Alumacraft Navigator 165 Tiller 2008. 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 Navigator 165 Tiller 2008 is rated to a maximum of 75 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Alumacraft VB 1650 AW Tunnel 2008 tops out at 40 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 Navigator 165 Tiller 2008 is Coast Guard rated for 5 passengers, while the Alumacraft VB 1650 AW Tunnel 2008 is certified for 5. 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 has the better power-to-weight ratio?
The Alumacraft VB 1650 AW Tunnel 2008 has a better power-to-weight ratio at 12 lbs per hp compared to 12 lbs per hp for the Alumacraft Navigator 165 Tiller 2008. A lower number means quicker acceleration and faster time to plane — the number that actually matters most on short, sporty boats like these.
Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?
The Alumacraft Navigator 165 Tiller 2008 measures 91" wide, compared to 74" for the Alumacraft VB 1650 AW Tunnel 2008. 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 Navigator 165 Tiller 2008 and Alumacraft VB 1650 AW Tunnel 2008 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Alumacraft Navigator 165 Tiller 2008 and the Alumacraft VB 1650 AW Tunnel 2008 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.