Alumacraft Navigator 185 CS 2005 vs Alumacraft Yukon 165 2003 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Alumacraft Navigator 185 CS 2005 or the Alumacraft Yukon 165 2003?

For trailering, the Alumacraft Yukon 165 2003 has the edge at 715 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: Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Alumacraft Navigator 185 CS 2005 is rated to a maximum of 150 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Alumacraft Yukon 165 2003 tops out at 50 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 185 CS 2005 is Coast Guard rated for 6 passengers, while the Alumacraft Yukon 165 2003 is certified for 5. 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 76" for the Alumacraft Yukon 165 2003. 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 185 CS 2005 and Alumacraft Yukon 165 2003 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Alumacraft Navigator 185 CS 2005 and the Alumacraft Yukon 165 2003 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 Yukon 165 2003

Alumacraft

Alumacraft Navigator 185 CS 2005

2005

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Alumacraft

Alumacraft Yukon 165 2003

2003

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Alumacraft Navigator 185 CS 2005 vs Alumacraft Yukon 165 2003 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Alumacraft Navigator 185 CS 2005 vs Alumacraft Yukon 165 2003 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 150 hp, the Alumacraft Navigator 185 CS 2005 has a 100-hp advantage over the Alumacraft Yukon 165 2003's 50-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 Navigator 185 CS 2005 is rated for 6 passengers, while the Alumacraft Yukon 165 2003 caps at 5. 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 Yukon 165 2003 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 185 CS

ModelYukon 165

Model Year2005

Model Year2003

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam96 in. (2.44 m)

Beam76 in

Beam - Meters2.44

Beam - Meters1.93

Beam - Inches96

Beam - Inches76

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 - Detail715 lbs

Weight - kg612.8

Weight - kg324.32

Weight - lbs.1351

Weight - lbs.715

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

Width [transom] - Detailnot available

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

Height [transom]72.5 in. 20 in

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 - Detail16 ft. 6 in

Length overall - Meters5.66

Length overall - Meters5.03

Length overall - Inches223

Length overall - Inches198

Draft [drive up] - Detailnot available

Draft [drive up] - Detailn/a

Height - Detailnot available

Height - Detail37 in

Height - Metersnot available

Height - Meters0.94

Height - Inchesnot available

Height - Inches37

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 - Detailn/a

Fuel tank capacity - Liters151.42

Fuel tank capacity - Litersnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Gal4

Fuel tank capacity - Galnot available

Engine max150 hp (111 kw)

Engine max50 hp

Operational Info

Maximum people6

Maximum people5 persons

Water capacitynot available

Water capacityn/a

Trailer Info

Trailer - Detailnot available

Trailer - Detailn/a

Alumacraft Navigator 185 CS 2005 vs Alumacraft Yukon 165 2003 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Alumacraft Navigator 185 CS 2005 or the Alumacraft Yukon 165 2003?

For trailering, the Alumacraft Yukon 165 2003 has the edge at 715 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.

Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Alumacraft Navigator 185 CS 2005 is rated to a maximum of 150 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Alumacraft Yukon 165 2003 tops out at 50 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 185 CS 2005 is Coast Guard rated for 6 passengers, while the Alumacraft Yukon 165 2003 is certified for 5. 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 76" for the Alumacraft Yukon 165 2003. 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 185 CS 2005 and Alumacraft Yukon 165 2003 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Alumacraft Navigator 185 CS 2005 and the Alumacraft Yukon 165 2003 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 Yukon 165 2003 full specs