Alumacraft Trophy 185 2009 vs Alumacraft Waterfowler 16 2004 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Alumacraft Trophy 185 2009 or the Alumacraft Waterfowler 16 2004?

For trailering, the Alumacraft Trophy 185 2009 has the edge at 178 lbs dry weight versus 525 lbs for the Alumacraft Waterfowler 16 2004. 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 Trophy 185 2009 is rated to a maximum of 175 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Alumacraft Waterfowler 16 2004 tops out at 40 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 Trophy 185 2009 is Coast Guard rated for 8 passengers, while the Alumacraft Waterfowler 16 2004 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 Trophy 185 2009 measures 98" wide, compared to 74" for the Alumacraft Waterfowler 16 2004. 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 Trophy 185 2009 and Alumacraft Waterfowler 16 2004 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Alumacraft Trophy 185 2009 and the Alumacraft Waterfowler 16 2004 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 Trophy 185 2009 vs Alumacraft Waterfowler 16 2004

Alumacraft

Alumacraft Trophy 185 2009

2009

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Alumacraft

Alumacraft Waterfowler 16 2004

2004

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Alumacraft Trophy 185 2009 vs Alumacraft Waterfowler 16 2004 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Alumacraft Trophy 185 2009 vs Alumacraft Waterfowler 16 2004 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 175 hp, the Alumacraft Trophy 185 2009 has a 135-hp advantage over the Alumacraft Waterfowler 16 2004's 40-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 Trophy 185 2009 is rated for 8 passengers, while the Alumacraft Waterfowler 16 2004 caps at 5. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Alumacraft Trophy 185 2009 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Alumacraft Trophy 185 2009 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 8 passengers and at 18,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Alumacraft Waterfowler 16 2004 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

ModelTrophy 185

ModelWaterfowler 16

Model Year2009

Model Year2004

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam98 in. (2.5 m)

Beam74 in

Beam - Meters2.49

Beam - Meters1.88

Beam - Inches98

Beam - Inches74

Depth - DetailMaximum: 47 in. (1.2 m) To Floor: 27 in. (0.69 m)

Depth - Detailnot available

Depth - Centimeters119.38

Depth - Centimetersnot available

Depth - Inches47

Depth - Inchesnot available

Weight - Detail1,780 lbs. (807 kg)

Weight - Detail525 lbs

Weight - kg807.39

Weight - kg238.14

Weight - lbs.178

Weight - lbs.525

Width [transom] - Detail96 in. (2.45 m)

Width [transom] - Detailnot available

Height [transom]25 in. (0.64 m)

Height [transom]21 in

Length - Meters5.7

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Feet18

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Inches8

Length - Inchesnot available

Length overall - Detail18 ft. 8 in. (5.7 m)

Length overall - Detail16 ft

Length overall - Meters5.69

Length overall - Meters4.88

Length overall - Inches224

Length overall - Inches192

Draft [drive up] - Detailnot available

Draft [drive up] - DetailN/A

Height - Detailnot available

Height - Detail22 in

Height - Metersnot available

Height - Meters0.56

Height - Inchesnot available

Height - Inches22

Body / Hull

Hull materialAluminum

Hull thicknessBottom: 0.100 in. (2.5 mm)

Hull thicknessnot available

Hull typeDeep Vee

Hull typenot available

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail38 gal. (144 l)

Fuel tank capacity - DetailN/A

Fuel tank capacity - Liters143.85

Fuel tank capacity - Litersnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Gal38

Fuel tank capacity - Galnot available

Fuel typeGas

Fuel typenot available

Drive typeOutboard

Drive typenot available

Engine max175 hp (130 kW)

Engine max40 hp Tiller Maximum outboard power w/Tiller Steering 60 hp Maximum outboard power w/console steering

Engine/s standardnot available

Engine/s standard40 hp

Operational Info

Maximum capacity1,760 lbs. (798 kg)

Maximum capacitynot available

Maximum people8

Maximum people5 persons

Water capacitynot available

Water capacityN/A

Trailer Info

Trailer - Detailnot available

Trailer - DetailN/A

Alumacraft Trophy 185 2009 vs Alumacraft Waterfowler 16 2004 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Alumacraft Trophy 185 2009 or the Alumacraft Waterfowler 16 2004?

For trailering, the Alumacraft Trophy 185 2009 has the edge at 178 lbs dry weight versus 525 lbs for the Alumacraft Waterfowler 16 2004. 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 Trophy 185 2009 is rated to a maximum of 175 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Alumacraft Waterfowler 16 2004 tops out at 40 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 Trophy 185 2009 is Coast Guard rated for 8 passengers, while the Alumacraft Waterfowler 16 2004 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 Trophy 185 2009 measures 98" wide, compared to 74" for the Alumacraft Waterfowler 16 2004. 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 Trophy 185 2009 and Alumacraft Waterfowler 16 2004 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Alumacraft Trophy 185 2009 and the Alumacraft Waterfowler 16 2004 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 Trophy 185 2009 full specs ← Alumacraft Waterfowler 16 2004 full specs