Alumacraft Navigator 175 CS 2005 vs Alumacraft V-Bow 1860 AW Tunnel FF 2002 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Alumacraft Navigator 175 CS 2005 or the Alumacraft V-Bow 1860 AW Tunnel FF 2002?

For trailering, the Alumacraft V-Bow 1860 AW Tunnel FF 2002 has the edge at 795 lbs dry weight versus 1 245 lbs for the Alumacraft Navigator 175 CS 2005. 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.

Q: Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Alumacraft Navigator 175 CS 2005 is rated to a maximum of 140 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Alumacraft V-Bow 1860 AW Tunnel FF 2002 tops out at 90 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.

Q: How many people can each boat hold?

The Alumacraft Navigator 175 CS 2005 is Coast Guard rated for 5 passengers, while the Alumacraft V-Bow 1860 AW Tunnel FF 2002 is certified for 6. 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.

Q: Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Alumacraft Navigator 175 CS 2005 measures 93" wide, compared to 86" for the Alumacraft V-Bow 1860 AW Tunnel FF 2002. 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.

Q: Are the Alumacraft Navigator 175 CS 2005 and Alumacraft V-Bow 1860 AW Tunnel FF 2002 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Alumacraft Navigator 175 CS 2005 and the Alumacraft V-Bow 1860 AW Tunnel FF 2002 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.

Boat Comparison

Alumacraft Navigator 175 CS 2005 vs Alumacraft V-Bow 1860 AW Tunnel FF 2002

Alumacraft

Alumacraft Navigator 175 CS 2005

2005

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Alumacraft

Alumacraft V-Bow 1860 AW Tunnel FF 2002

2002

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Alumacraft Navigator 175 CS 2005 vs Alumacraft V-Bow 1860 AW Tunnel FF 2002 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Alumacraft Navigator 175 CS 2005 vs Alumacraft V-Bow 1860 AW Tunnel FF 2002 comparison sits squarely in the category of decisions where specs alone won't tell the whole story — intended use, storage, and long-term ownership costs all factor in.

The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 140 hp, the Alumacraft Navigator 175 CS 2005 has a 50-hp advantage over the Alumacraft V-Bow 1860 AW Tunnel FF 2002's 90-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Alumacraft V-Bow 1860 AW Tunnel FF 2002 is rated for 6 passengers, while the Alumacraft Navigator 175 CS 2005 caps at 5. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Alumacraft V-Bow 1860 AW Tunnel FF 2002 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Alumacraft V-Bow 1860 AW Tunnel FF 2002 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 6 passengers and at 0,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Alumacraft Navigator 175 CS 2005 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 5 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeAlumacraft

ModelNavigator 175 CS

ModelV-Bow 1860 AW Tunnel FF

Model Year2005

Model Year2002

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam93 in. (2.36 m)

Beam86 in

Beam - Meters2.36

Beam - Meters2.18

Beam - Inches93

Beam - Inches86

Depth - Detail37 in. (.94 m)

Depth - Detailnot available

Depth - Centimeters93.98

Depth - Centimetersnot available

Depth - Inches37

Depth - Inchesnot available

Weight - Detail1245 lbs. (565 kg)

Weight - Detail795 lbs

Weight - kg564.72

Weight - kg360.61

Weight - lbs.1245

Weight - lbs.795

Width [transom] - Detail93 in. (2.36 m)

Width [transom] - Detailnot available

Height [transom]20 in. (.51 m)

Height [transom]22 in

Length - Meters5.26

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Feet17

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Inches3

Length - Inchesnot available

Length overall - Detail17 ft. 3 in. (5.26 m)

Length overall - Detail18 ft

Length overall - Meters5.26

Length overall - Meters5.49

Length overall - Inches207

Length overall - Inches216

Height - Detailnot available

Height - Detail25 in

Height - Metersnot available

Height - Meters0.64

Height - Inchesnot available

Height - Inches25

Body / Hull

Hull thicknessBottom: .080 in. (2.0 mm) Sides: .080 in. (2.0 mm) 2XB Bow?2nd plate: .080 in. 2XB Bottom?2nd plate: .080 in

Hull thicknessnot available

Hull materialnot available

Hull materialAluminum

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail40 gal. (151 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Liters151.42

Fuel tank capacity - Litersnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Gal4

Fuel tank capacity - Galnot available

Engine max140 hp (104 kw)

Engine max90 hp

Operational Info

Maximum people5

Maximum people6 persons

Alumacraft Navigator 175 CS 2005 vs Alumacraft V-Bow 1860 AW Tunnel FF 2002 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Alumacraft Navigator 175 CS 2005 or the Alumacraft V-Bow 1860 AW Tunnel FF 2002?

For trailering, the Alumacraft V-Bow 1860 AW Tunnel FF 2002 has the edge at 795 lbs dry weight versus 1 245 lbs for the Alumacraft Navigator 175 CS 2005. 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 175 CS 2005 is rated to a maximum of 140 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Alumacraft V-Bow 1860 AW Tunnel FF 2002 tops out at 90 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 175 CS 2005 is Coast Guard rated for 5 passengers, while the Alumacraft V-Bow 1860 AW Tunnel FF 2002 is certified for 6. 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 is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Alumacraft Navigator 175 CS 2005 measures 93" wide, compared to 86" for the Alumacraft V-Bow 1860 AW Tunnel FF 2002. 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 175 CS 2005 and Alumacraft V-Bow 1860 AW Tunnel FF 2002 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Alumacraft Navigator 175 CS 2005 and the Alumacraft V-Bow 1860 AW Tunnel FF 2002 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.

← Alumacraft Navigator 175 CS 2005 full specs ← Alumacraft V-Bow 1860 AW Tunnel FF 2002 full specs