Matching a deep vee Alumacraft Navigator 175 CS 2009 against a tunnel Alumacraft VB 1860 W Special Tunnel 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 175 CS 2009 at 17,0 ft versus Alumacraft VB 1860 W Special Tunnel 2013 at 18,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Alumacraft VB 1860 W Special Tunnel 2013 tips the scales at 875 lbs — 748 lbs less than the Alumacraft Navigator 175 CS 2009 at 127 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 150 hp, the Alumacraft Navigator 175 CS 2009 has a 35-hp advantage over the Alumacraft VB 1860 W Special Tunnel 2013's 115-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 175 CS 2009 carries 38 gallons versus 2 gallons in the Alumacraft VB 1860 W Special Tunnel 2013. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.

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 Navigator 175 CS 2009 comes in at 1 lbs per hp versus 8 lbs per hp for the Alumacraft VB 1860 W Special Tunnel 2013. 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.