Alumacraft Navigator 185 CS 2005 vs Alumacraft Phantom AW 2001 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Alumacraft Navigator 185 CS 2005 or the Alumacraft Phantom AW 2001?

For trailering, the Alumacraft Phantom AW 2001 has the edge at 11 lbs dry weight versus 1 351 lbs for the Alumacraft Navigator 185 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: What is the maximum horsepower rating for these boats?

The Alumacraft Navigator 185 CS 2005 has a documented max rating of 150 hp. Engine specifications for the Alumacraft Phantom AW 2001 were not available in our database — check the OEM spec sheet or manufacturer's website for confirmation.

Q: How many people can each boat hold?

The Alumacraft Navigator 185 CS 2005 is Coast Guard rated for 6 passengers, while the Alumacraft Phantom AW 2001 is certified for 4. 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 185 CS 2005 measures 96" wide, compared to 81" for the Alumacraft Phantom AW 2001. 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: Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Alumacraft Navigator 185 CS 2005 or the Alumacraft Phantom AW 2001?

The Alumacraft Phantom AW 2001 has the bigger tank at 24 gallons, versus 4 gallons on the Alumacraft Navigator 185 CS 2005. That 20-gallon difference translates to roughly 60–100 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Alumacraft Navigator 185 CS 2005 and Alumacraft Phantom AW 2001 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Alumacraft Navigator 185 CS 2005 and the Alumacraft Phantom AW 2001 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 185 CS 2005 vs Alumacraft Phantom AW 2001

Alumacraft

Alumacraft Navigator 185 CS 2005

2005

View full specs →

Alumacraft

Alumacraft Phantom AW 2001

2001

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Alumacraft Navigator 185 CS 2005 vs Alumacraft Phantom AW 2001 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Alumacraft Navigator 185 CS 2005 vs Alumacraft Phantom AW 2001 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 Alumacraft Navigator 185 CS 2005 carries a rated maximum of 150 hp. Engine data for the Alumacraft Phantom AW 2001 wasn't available in our records — check the manufacturer's spec sheet before sizing a motor.Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Alumacraft Phantom AW 2001 carries 24 gallons versus 4 gallons in the Alumacraft Navigator 185 CS 2005. 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 185 CS 2005 is rated for 6 passengers, while the Alumacraft Phantom AW 2001 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 185 CS 2005 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Alumacraft Navigator 185 CS 2005 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 Phantom AW 2001 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 4 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeAlumacraft

ModelNavigator 185 CS

ModelPhantom AW

Model Year2005

Model Year2001

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam96 in. (2.44 m)

Beam81"

Beam - Meters2.44

Beam - Meters2.06

Beam - Inches96

Beam - Inches81

Depth - Detail39 in. (.99 m) Maximum to floor: 22 in. (.56 m)

Depth - Detailnot available

Depth - Centimeters99.06

Depth - Centimetersnot available

Depth - Inches39

Depth - Inchesnot available

Weight - Detail1351 lbs. (613 kg)

Weight - Detail1100 lbs

Weight - kg612.8

Weight - kg498.95

Weight - lbs.1351

Weight - lbs.11

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

Width [transom] - Detailnot available

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

Height [transom]not available

Length - Meters5.66

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Feet18

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Inches7

Length - Inchesnot available

Length overall - Detail18 ft. 7 in. (5.66 m)

Length overall - Detail17' 4"

Length overall - Meters5.66

Length overall - Meters5.18

Length overall - Inches223

Length overall - Inches204

Body / Hull

Hull thicknessBottom: .098 in. (2.5 mm) Sides: .80 in. (2.0 mm) 2XB Bow?2nd plate: .098 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 - Detail24 gallons

Fuel tank capacity - Liters151.42

Fuel tank capacity - Liters90.85

Fuel tank capacity - Gal4

Fuel tank capacity - Gal24

Engine max150 hp (111 kw)

Engine maxnot available

Engine/s standardnot available

Engine/s standard60 - 135hp

Operational Info

Maximum people6

Maximum people4 person

Alumacraft Navigator 185 CS 2005 vs Alumacraft Phantom AW 2001 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Alumacraft Navigator 185 CS 2005 or the Alumacraft Phantom AW 2001?

For trailering, the Alumacraft Phantom AW 2001 has the edge at 11 lbs dry weight versus 1 351 lbs for the Alumacraft Navigator 185 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.

What is the maximum horsepower rating for these boats?

The Alumacraft Navigator 185 CS 2005 has a documented max rating of 150 hp. Engine specifications for the Alumacraft Phantom AW 2001 were not available in our database — check the OEM spec sheet or manufacturer's website for confirmation.

How many people can each boat hold?

The Alumacraft Navigator 185 CS 2005 is Coast Guard rated for 6 passengers, while the Alumacraft Phantom AW 2001 is certified for 4. 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 185 CS 2005 measures 96" wide, compared to 81" for the Alumacraft Phantom AW 2001. 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.

Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Alumacraft Navigator 185 CS 2005 or the Alumacraft Phantom AW 2001?

The Alumacraft Phantom AW 2001 has the bigger tank at 24 gallons, versus 4 gallons on the Alumacraft Navigator 185 CS 2005. That 20-gallon difference translates to roughly 60–100 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Alumacraft Navigator 185 CS 2005 and Alumacraft Phantom AW 2001 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Alumacraft Navigator 185 CS 2005 and the Alumacraft Phantom AW 2001 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 185 CS 2005 full specs ← Alumacraft Phantom AW 2001 full specs