Alumacraft Edge 185 Sport (2016-)

Key Features

• Maximum horsepower of 175-hp
• Maximum weight capacity of 1,990 lbs. or 8 persons
• 18 gal. aft livewell
• 3 seats
• Includes speedometer, tachometer, voltmeter,fuel gauge and horn

Test Results

Specifications

Length Overall	18’ 9'' / 5.72 m
Beam	7' 11'' 2.41 m
Dry Weight	1,579 lbs. 716 kg
Tested Weight	2,693 lbs. 1,222 kg
Draft	N/A
Deadrise/Transom	N/A
Max Headroom	open
Bridge Clearance	N/A
Weight Capacity	1,990 lbs. 903 kg
Person Capacity	8
Fuel Capacity	34 gal. 129 L
Water Capacity	18 gal. 68 L
Total Weight	2,693 lbs. 1,222 kg

Acceleration Times & Conditions

Time to Plane	2.8 sec.
0 to 30	5.2 sec.
Ratio	2.17:1
Props	Rebel 15 1/4" x 19" 3-bl ss
Load	2 persons, 3/4 fuel, no water, 50 lbs. of geat
Climate	76 deg., 82 humid.; wind: 0-7 mph; seas: calm

Engine Options

Tested Engine	1 x 150 H.O. Evinrude E-TEC G2 25" Shaft
Std. Power	Not Available
Opt. Power	Evinrude engines Mercury engines Suzuki engines Yamaha engines

Learn More
Watch Our Video

Mission

The 18’9” Alumacraft Edge 185 offers a design meant to pivot between watersports and fishing with room for a small family. Not all fishing families are looking to wakeboard, and not all watersports families are looking to anchor down and cast a line -- but certainly the market for active families with diverse on-the-water interests could use a boat that would serve both functions, and the Alumacraft Edge 185 aims to do just that.

Overview

The Edge 185 is both a fishing and watersports boat in full -- not just one or the other with adaptability for either. It offers wakeboard storage and a ski-tow pylon, as well as fishing rod storage, kicker motor, and an 18-gallon onboard live-well.

Key Features

• Six different color scheme options, Black/copper/black; Black/blue/black; Black/white/black; Silver/black/silver; Silver/white/silver; Black/red/black

• Wakeboard storage

• Optional ski pylon

• Rear jump seats

• Under-helm-console storage

• Bow storage

• Bow fishing rod storage

• 2XB Hull system

• Stereo system with USB/ Bluetooth and speakers throughout

Helm

The Edge 185 comes standard with hydraulic steering with bucket captain’s and companion’s seats at the helm and storage underneath the dash console on each side. The controls for the Edge 185 are, like many other aspects of the boat, highly customizable at purchase -- a range of GPS brands, sonars, depth sounders, hour meters -- along the standard fuel gauge, speedometer, volt meter, and sound system controls.

The seats in the helm and cockpit area do not come standard as bucket seats, but there are many of options to customize them as well when purchasing the boat new.

The windshield comes standard as a wraparound with a “door” that flaps open to access the bow or can be customized to have two separate “bubble” windshields on each side of the helm for unfettered access through to the bow.

Storage

The storage on the Edge 185 is a good indicator of its aim at multi-functionality. In the passageway from the bow to the cockpit sits storage for fishing rods -- up to eight to be exact -- with a latch-top. On the port side in the cockpit in the padded sidewall is storage for a wakeboard/knee-board.

The bow has additional storage as well, and the compartments under the helm in the driver’s and companion’s positions slide out for stowing maps, snacks, and anything needed at-hand for navigation.

There is a passenger’s side glove box, smaller storage in the sides of the boat in the cockpit area. The aft jump seat on the starboard side sits atop an 18-gallon, lighted live-well -- a nice option but smaller than in many comparable boats and without a latch to keep the seat/lid open when in use.

There is also an option to add a cargo net in the bow for additional storage.

Seating

The bow has options for cushions that sit along the edge of the space, though no foot room below; this is more of a reclining/sunpad designed space.

Into the cockpit of the boat, there are four swivel-seats upholstered in vinyl that can turn 360 degrees and can also be upgraded in a myriad ways via Alumacraft’s options packages. Just aft of these sit the two oversize jump seats, which can be folded down when accessing the stern.

Watersports/Fishing Capabilities

We’ve mentioned the fishing rod storage and livewell on the boat, in addition smaller options are available for rod holders on the side of the boat in a wealth of shapes and sizes.

For watersports, the Edge 185 has an optional ski-line pylon that can be removed easily and stowed in a dedicated compartment in the stern. We highly recommend including this option.

Power

We tested the Edge 185 with the Evinrude E-Tec 150 hp engine. The max horsepower rating for this boat is 175.

Performance

We recorded a top speed for the 180 of 45.3 mph at 5500 rpm. It took 2.8 seconds to plane, 2.9 seconds to 20 mph, and 5.2 seconds to 30 mph. Our best speed on the GTS 180 came in at 26.6 mph at 3500 rpm, which yielded 5.71 mpg and 175 mile range.

The Edge 185 also has the option for a kicker motor and trolling motor at purchase, both from the same brands available for the main motor.

Options

The options are key for the Edge 185. Instead of offering everything as standard and a small handful of upgrades, Alumacraft has made the “build your boat” phase of the purchase more granular with the ability to customize areas of the boat like the helm controls, engine power, and seat specifications. In each instance, a wide range of choices is offered, so we definitely recommend perusing the boat’s webpage to see for yourself. Ultimately, this leads to the customer being able to target more clearly how a boat capable of two distinct “phases” will serve their needs.

Alumacraft has a nice selection of trailers fitted for the Edge 185 as well, varying in price and features.

Observations

While it may work using your watersports boat for a day out fishing, or vice versa, the option to have a boat adept at both is welcome. Additionally, the ability to fine-tune the options on the boat means there is a wide variation in pricing -- while this may initially seem overwhelming, with a little research it can be a boon to those who don’t want to pay for features and gadgets they won’t use or don’t need. The seating design itself is a huge feature, as it accommodates fishing with the four swivel seats and relaxing in the bow lounge and two large, comfortable jump seats.

The boat performs well on the water with just the right amount of power at 150-hp, in our opinion. If one is in the market for this boat, fishing will be an integral part of the experience, and so we highly recommend the trolling motor for that reason.