Matching a deep vee Alumacraft Tournament Pro 185 CS 2009 against a modified vee Alumacraft VS170 2007 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 Tournament Pro 185 CS 2009 at 18,0 ft versus Alumacraft VS170 2007 at 17,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Alumacraft VS170 2007 tips the scales at 852 lbs — 684 lbs less than the Alumacraft Tournament Pro 185 CS 2009 at 168 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 175 hp, the Alumacraft Tournament Pro 185 CS 2009 has a 105-hp advantage over the Alumacraft VS170 2007's 70-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 Tournament Pro 185 CS 2009 carries 38 gallons versus 16 gallons in the Alumacraft VS170 2007. 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 Tournament Pro 185 CS 2009 is rated for 6 passengers, while the Alumacraft VS170 2007 caps at 4. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Alumacraft Tournament Pro 185 CS 2009 could be the deciding factor.

At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Alumacraft Tournament Pro 185 CS 2009 comes in at 1 lbs per hp versus 12 lbs per hp for the Alumacraft VS170 2007. 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.