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Functional Fisher - Alumacraft navigator 185CS
by Go Boating Test Team
Alumacraft’s Navigator 185 CS concentrates on anglers’ primary needs for an affordable fisher
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Alumacraft’s Navigator 185 CS is a new addition to its Navigator series of pro class aluminum fishing boats, and it’s also the biggest of the Navigators with a length of 18 feet, 7 inches and a beam of 8 feet.
In essence, the 185 CS is a trimmed-down version of Alumacraft’s Trophy and Tournament boats. The main difference is the 185 CS doesn’t have the wide carpeted cap rails or as many integrated fish-fighting features found on those boats. This allows Alumacraft to target anglers who can do without some of the more elaborate goodies -- and the added expense they bring.
One feature the 185 CS does share with Alumacraft’s other pro class boats is the company’s trademarked 2XB hull system, which consists of double-plated marine-grade aluminum that is riveted together and runs the full length from bow to stern. In the bow there are two .098-inch aluminum plates, and from midship to transom there is a .098-inch plate and a second .080-inch plate.
Alumacraft maintains that this double plating creates a stronger hull that offers a quiet and smooth ride as well as solid handling and performance without adding any appreciable weight.
Inside
The interior of the 185 CS offers a functional array of fishing features along with a somewhat unusual layout that marries sportboat performance with tiller-boat practicality. To starboard there is a single helm with a bubble windshield to keep you out of the elements. To port, however, all you have is uninterrupted deck space similar to that of a tiller operated boat.
This setup gives you the sporty fun of a helm-driven craft along with a notion of openness similar to a tiller-boat, which makes it easier to fight a fish from bow to stern because you don’t have to negotiate a narrow double console walk-through.
As far as actual fish-fighting features, the 185 CS has plenty to bring to the table without going overboard. The raised bow area has deep dry storage areas and a 34-gallon aerated livewell with an integrated bait bucket, light and remote drain. Just aft of this in the center is a storage area setup for dual batteries. There’s also two 12/24v bow outlets for a trolling motor and other electronics.
The cockpit is expansive and offers a wide and clear area for uninterrupted fishing. The helm seat is on a fixed pedestal and has a slider and height adjustment. The other seat can be plugged into any of the five available bases, three of which are in the cockpit. There’s another one in the bow and another all the way aft at the center of the transom. Additional seats are optional.
The helm itself is simple and functional with all the routine gauges. There’s also room on the dash for additional electronics for those who like to leave less to chance by bringing a little technology to the fight.
On each outboard side of the cockpit there are raised ledges that house 7-foot locking rod compartments. The raised ledge continues aft around the transom, where there’s an aerated 12.5-gallon livewell with light and remote drain to starboard and additional storage to port.
All the hatches are fashioned out of .125-inch aluminum, and the deck is made of treated wood -- all topside surfaces are carpeted.
Performance
Our test boat was loaded with two people and half a tank of fuel (about 20 gallons). For power we had a 150 hp Yamaha F150 TLRD four-stroke outboard spinning a 20-inch three-blade stainless steel prop.
Considering this craft’s light weight at 1,351 pounds, we were expecting punchy performance. The 185 CS delivered with a time to plane of 3 seconds and a 0 to 30 mph time of 6 seconds. Our GPS read a top speed of 50.2 mph at 5,700 rpm. The Yamaha F150 has a top-end range of 5,000 to 6,000 rpm, so a propeller with a little more pitch might squeeze out another mile or two per hour.
The ride was solid with no rattling, which is actually something the people from Alumacraft call the “aluma-ride.” We attribute the steady ride to the double-plated 2XB hull. Tracking was also solid, even with the engine trimmed up for top speed.
In the corners the F150 had plenty of power to push the 185 CS all the way through with only a hint of blowout in the really hard turns.
Our only real beef from the passenger point of view is the ride is very windy without any kind of console to duck behind. Early a.m. jaunts during the colder months will require passengers to suit up for warmth. Once the lines are in the water, however, all anglers aboard will appreciate the extra room to move.
Overall
The Alumacraft Navigator 185 CS is a great boat for the bass angler looking to make the weigh-in site on time -- and it also has just enough freeboard and a deep-V to test some slightly bigger waters in search of walleye.
Its toned-down attitude in terms of all the finer trimmings means a functional fish fighter at a friendly price. Without any options and equipped with our test boat’s Yamaha F150 engine, this boat should come in at a little more than $20,000 when figuring in the cost of the trailer and dealer fees. With more modest power, say a Yamaha F90, the price will come down to a little less than $15,000 (including trailer and fees). Either way, you’re looking at a respectable sticker price for a brand-new fishing machine.
Alumacraft, one of the few privately owned boat manufacturers still in existence, has been in the business for quite some time and will celebrate its 60th anniversary next year. It has been producing craft with the 2XB since 1996 and currently builds more than 80 different models of aluminum recreational fishing boats.
Contact Information: Alumacraft; (507) 931-1050; www.alumacraft.com.
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This article first appeared in the June 2005 issue of GoBoating Magazine. All or parts of the information contained in this article might be outdated. |
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