Matching a deep vee Alumacraft Navigator 165 Tiller 2012 against a flat Alumacraft Pro 185 2013 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 2012 at 16,7 ft versus Alumacraft Pro 185 2013 at 18,4 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Alumacraft Navigator 165 Tiller 2012 tips the scales at 925 lbs — 914 lbs more than the Alumacraft Pro 185 2013 at 11 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 115 hp, the Alumacraft Pro 185 2013 has a 40-hp advantage over the Alumacraft Navigator 165 Tiller 2012's 75-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 Navigator 165 Tiller 2012 carries 19 gallons versus 2 gallons in the Alumacraft Pro 185 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 Navigator 165 Tiller 2012 is rated for 6 passengers, while the Alumacraft Pro 185 2013 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 Tiller 2012 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Alumacraft Navigator 165 Tiller 2012 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 6 passengers and at 16,7 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Alumacraft Pro 185 2013 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 4 that costs less to run day-to-day.