Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Alumacraft Trophy 185 2011 vs Alumacraft V-Bow 1756 AW Tunnel SC 2006 — Same Brand, Different Boat
Matching a deep vee Alumacraft Trophy 185 2011 against a modified vee Alumacraft V-Bow 1756 AW Tunnel SC 2006 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 Trophy 185 2011 at 18,7 ft versus Alumacraft V-Bow 1756 AW Tunnel SC 2006 at 17,0 ft. At 178 lbs and 83 lbs respectively, both sit in a similar weight class — either should pair comfortably with most mid-size SUVs and half-ton trucks, though always confirm your specific tow rating with the motor added.
The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 175 hp, the Alumacraft Trophy 185 2011 has a 100-hp advantage over the Alumacraft V-Bow 1756 AW Tunnel SC 2006's 75-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 2011 is rated for 8 passengers, while the Alumacraft V-Bow 1756 AW Tunnel SC 2006 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 2011 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Alumacraft Trophy 185 2011 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 8 passengers and at 18,7 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Alumacraft V-Bow 1756 AW Tunnel SC 2006 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
MakeAlumacraft
ModelTrophy 185
ModelV-Bow 1756 AW Tunnel SC
Model Year2011
Model Year2006
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam94 in. (2.4 m)
Beam83 in
Beam - Meters2.39
Beam - Meters2.11
Beam - Inches94
Beam - Inches83
Draft [max] - Detail47 in. (1.2 m) To Floor: 27 in. (0.69 m)
Draft [max] - Detailnot available
Draft [max] - Meters1.19
Draft [max] - Metersnot available
Draft [max] - Inches47
Draft [max] - Inchesnot available
Weight - Detail1,780 lbs. (807 kg)
Weight - Detail830 lbs
Weight - kg807.39
Weight - kg376.48
Weight - lbs.178
Weight - lbs.83
Width [transom] - Detail96 in. (2.45 m)
Width [transom] - Detail56 in
Height [transom]25 in. (0.64 m)
Height [transom]21 in
Length - Feet18.67
Length - Feet17
Length overall - Detail18 ft. 8 in. (5.6 m)
Length overall - Detail17 ft. 0 in
Length overall - Meters5.69
Length overall - Meters5.18
Length overall - Inches224
Length overall - Inches204
Height - Detailnot available
Height - Detail24 in
Height - Metersnot available
Height - Meters0.61
Height - Inchesnot available
Height - Inches24
Body / Hull
Hull materialAluminum
Hull materialAluminum
Hull thicknessBottom: 0.100 in. (2.5 mm) Sides: 0.080 in. (2 mm)
Hull thickness.102 in
Hull typeDeep Vee
Hull typeModified Vee
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail38 gal. (144 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Liters143.85
Fuel tank capacity - Litersnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Gal38
Fuel tank capacity - Galnot available
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeOutboard
Engine max175 hp (130 kW)
Engine max75 hp
Operational Info
StorageBow Livewell: 22 gal. (83.3 l) Aft Livewell: 21 gal. (71 l)
Storagenot available
Maximum capacity1,760 lbs. (798 kg)
Maximum capacity825 lbs
Maximum people8
Maximum people5