Alumacraft V-Bow 1756 AW Tunnel SC 2005 boat specs
Alumacraft
Alumacraft V-Bow 1756 AW Tunnel SC 2005
2005
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VS
Alumacraft Waterfowler 16  2010 boat specs
Alumacraft
Alumacraft Waterfowler 16 2010
2010
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Alumacraft V-Bow 1756 AW Tunnel SC 2005 vs Alumacraft Waterfowler 16 2010 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Alumacraft V-Bow 1756 AW Tunnel SC 2005 vs Alumacraft Waterfowler 16 2010 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.

On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Alumacraft V-Bow 1756 AW Tunnel SC 2005 at 17,0 ft versus Alumacraft Waterfowler 16 2010 at 16,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Alumacraft Waterfowler 16 2010 tips the scales at 525 lbs — 442 lbs less than the Alumacraft V-Bow 1756 AW Tunnel SC 2005 at 83 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 75 hp, the Alumacraft V-Bow 1756 AW Tunnel SC 2005 has a 35-hp advantage over the Alumacraft Waterfowler 16 2010's 40-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load.

Both boats are rated for 5 passengers — a good fit for a family of four or five plus guests. Comfort at capacity is another matter; the longer hull typically means more seat options and better weight distribution.

At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Alumacraft V-Bow 1756 AW Tunnel SC 2005 comes in at 1 lbs per hp versus 13 lbs per hp for the Alumacraft Waterfowler 16 2010. 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.

Bottom line: Performance buyers should lean toward the Alumacraft V-Bow 1756 AW Tunnel SC 2005 and its 75-hp ceiling. If fuel economy and quieter running matter more than top-end speed, the Alumacraft Waterfowler 16 2010 with its 40-hp rating is the more economical daily driver.
General Boat Info
MakeAlumacraft
MakeAlumacraft
ModelV-Bow 1756 AW Tunnel SC
ModelWaterfowler 16
Model Year2005
Model Year201
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam83 in
Beam74 in. (1.88 m)
Beam - Meters2.11
Beam - Meters1.88
Beam - Inches83
Beam - Inches74
Weight - Detail830 lbs
Weight - Detail525 lbs. (238 kg)
Weight - kg376.48
Weight - kg238.14
Weight - lbs.83
Weight - lbs.525
Width [transom] - Detail56 in
Width [transom] - Detail50 in. (1.27 m)
Height - Detail24 in
Height - Detail22 in. (.56 m)
Height - Meters0.61
Height - Meters0.56
Height - Inches24
Height - Inches22
Height [transom]21 in
Height [transom]21 in. (.53 m)
Length - Feet17
Length - Feet16
Length overall - Detail17 ft. 0 in
Length overall - Detail16 ft. (4.9 m)
Length overall - Meters5.18
Length overall - Meters4.88
Length overall - Inches204
Length overall - Inches192
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Meters4.9
Body / Hull
Hull materialAluminum
Hull materialAluminum
Hull thicknessBottom/sides: .102 in
Hull thickness0.102 in. (2.6 mm)
Hull typenot available
Hull typeModified Vee
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - DetailTwo 7.5 gal
Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Liters30.28
Fuel tank capacity - Litersnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Gal7.5
Fuel tank capacity - Galnot available
Engine max75 hp
Engine max40 hp (30 kW)
Fuel typenot available
Fuel typeGas
Drive typenot available
Drive typeOutboard
Operational Info
Maximum people5
Maximum people5
Maximum capacitynot available
Maximum capacity1,100 lbs. (499 kg)

Alumacraft V-Bow 1756 AW Tunnel SC 2005 vs Alumacraft Waterfowler 16 2010 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Alumacraft V-Bow 1756 AW Tunnel SC 2005 or the Alumacraft Waterfowler 16 2010?
The Alumacraft V-Bow 1756 AW Tunnel SC 2005 is the longer of the two at 17,0 feet overall. The Alumacraft Waterfowler 16 2010 comes in at 16,0 feet, making it roughly 1,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.
Which is easier to trailer — the Alumacraft V-Bow 1756 AW Tunnel SC 2005 or the Alumacraft Waterfowler 16 2010?
For trailering, the Alumacraft V-Bow 1756 AW Tunnel SC 2005 has the edge at 83 lbs dry weight versus 525 lbs for the Alumacraft Waterfowler 16 2010. 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 V-Bow 1756 AW Tunnel SC 2005 is rated to a maximum of 75 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Alumacraft Waterfowler 16 2010 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 V-Bow 1756 AW Tunnel SC 2005 is Coast Guard rated for 5 passengers, while the Alumacraft Waterfowler 16 2010 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 has the better power-to-weight ratio?
The Alumacraft V-Bow 1756 AW Tunnel SC 2005 has a better power-to-weight ratio at 1 lbs per hp compared to 13 lbs per hp for the Alumacraft Waterfowler 16 2010. A lower number means quicker acceleration and faster time to plane — the number that actually matters most on short, sporty boats like these.
Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?
The Alumacraft V-Bow 1756 AW Tunnel SC 2005 measures 83" wide, compared to 74" for the Alumacraft Waterfowler 16 2010. 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 V-Bow 1756 AW Tunnel SC 2005 and Alumacraft Waterfowler 16 2010 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Alumacraft V-Bow 1756 AW Tunnel SC 2005 and the Alumacraft Waterfowler 16 2010 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.