Matching a deep vee Alumacraft Navigator 175 Tiller 2011 against a flat Alumacraft VB 1860 AW Tunnel SC 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 175 Tiller 2011 at 17,7 ft versus Alumacraft VB 1860 AW Tunnel SC 2008 at 18,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Alumacraft Navigator 175 Tiller 2011 tips the scales at 1 145 lbs — 270 lbs more than the Alumacraft VB 1860 AW Tunnel SC 2008 at 875 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 — 75 hp for the Alumacraft Navigator 175 Tiller 2011 and 90 hp for the Alumacraft VB 1860 AW Tunnel SC 2008. 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 Navigator 175 Tiller 2011 carries 38 gallons versus 16 gallons in the Alumacraft VB 1860 AW Tunnel SC 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 VB 1860 AW Tunnel SC 2008 is rated for 6 passengers, while the Alumacraft Navigator 175 Tiller 2011 caps at 5. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Alumacraft VB 1860 AW Tunnel SC 2008 could be the deciding factor.
At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Alumacraft VB 1860 AW Tunnel SC 2008 comes in at 10 lbs per hp versus 15 lbs per hp for the Alumacraft Navigator 175 Tiller 2011. 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 VB 1860 AW Tunnel SC 2008 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 6 passengers and at 18,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Alumacraft Navigator 175 Tiller 2011 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 5 that costs less to run day-to-day.