Princecraft 161 L 2005 boat specs
Princecraft
Princecraft 161 L 2005
2005
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VS
Princecraft Pro 179 DX SC 2006 boat specs
Princecraft
Princecraft Pro 179 DX SC 2006
2006
View full specs →

Princecraft 161 L 2005 vs Princecraft Pro 179 DX SC 2006 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Princecraft 161 L 2005 vs Princecraft Pro 179 DX SC 2006 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 — Princecraft 161 L 2005 at 16,0 ft versus Princecraft Pro 179 DX SC 2006 at 17,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Princecraft 161 L 2005 tips the scales at 1 248 lbs — 1 236 lbs more than the Princecraft Pro 179 DX SC 2006 at 12 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 Princecraft Pro 179 DX SC 2006 tops out at 135 hp. Engine specs for the Princecraft 161 L 2005 aren't listed — confirm with a dealer before selecting an outboard.Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Princecraft Pro 179 DX SC 2006 carries 35 gallons versus 12 gallons in the Princecraft 161 L 2005. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Princecraft 161 L 2005 is rated for 6 passengers, while the Princecraft Pro 179 DX SC 2006 caps at 4. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Princecraft 161 L 2005 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Princecraft 161 L 2005 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 6 passengers and at 16,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Princecraft Pro 179 DX SC 2006 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 4 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
MakePrincecraft
MakePrincecraft
Model161 L
ModelPro 179 DX SC
Model Year2005
Model Year2006
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam8 ft. 0 in. (2.4 m)
Beam92 in. (2.3 m)
Beam - Meters2.44
Beam - Meters2.34
Beam - Inches96
Beam - Inches92
Weight - Detail1,248 lbs. (566 kg)
Weight - Detail1,200 lbs. (544 kg)
Weight - kg566.08
Weight - kg544.31
Weight - lbs.1248
Weight - lbs.12
Length - Meters4.9
Length - Meters5.4
Length - Feet16
Length - Feet17
Length - Inches4
Length - Inches1
Length overall - Detail16 ft. 4 in. (4.9 m)
Length overall - Detail17 ft. 10 in. (5.4 m)
Length overall - Meters4.98
Length overall - Meters5.44
Length overall - Inches196
Length overall - Inches214
Depth - Detailnot available
Depth - Detail36 in. (0.9 m)
Depth - Centimetersnot available
Depth - Centimeters91.44
Depth - Inchesnot available
Depth - Inches36
Draft [max] - Detailnot available
Draft [max] - Detail31 in. (0.8 m)
Draft [max] - Metersnot available
Draft [max] - Meters0.79
Draft [max] - Inchesnot available
Draft [max] - Inches31
Width [transom] - Detailnot available
Width [transom] - Detail76 in. (1.9 m)
Height [transom]not available
Height [transom]20 in. (0.5 m)
Pontoon and Inflatable Specific
Tube diameter23 in. (0.58 m)
Tube diameternot available
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine/s standard50 hp (37 kw)
Engine/s standardnot available
Fuel tank capacity - DetailPortable Optional (Permanent): 12 gal. (45 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail35 gal. (132 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters45.42
Fuel tank capacity - Liters132.49
Fuel tank capacity - Gal12
Fuel tank capacity - Gal35
Drive typeOutBoard
Drive typeOutboard
Fuel typenot available
Fuel typeGas
Engine maxnot available
Engine max135 hp (101 kw)
Operational Info
Maximum capacity1,386 lbs. (629 kg)
Maximum capacity1,300 lbs. (590 kg)
Maximum people6 Persons
Maximum people4
Body / Hull
Hull thicknessnot available
Hull thicknessBottom: .110 in. (2.8 mm) Side: .072 in. (1.8 mm
Trailer Info
Trailer - Detailnot available
Trailer - DetailStandard Painted Bunk Style Trailer
Trailer - Weightnot available
Trailer - Weight518 lbs. (235 kg)

Princecraft 161 L 2005 vs Princecraft Pro 179 DX SC 2006 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Princecraft 161 L 2005 or the Princecraft Pro 179 DX SC 2006?
The Princecraft Pro 179 DX SC 2006 is the longer of the two at 17,0 feet overall. The Princecraft 161 L 2005 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 Princecraft 161 L 2005 or the Princecraft Pro 179 DX SC 2006?
For trailering, the Princecraft Pro 179 DX SC 2006 has the edge at 12 lbs dry weight versus 1 248 lbs for the Princecraft 161 L 2005. 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.
What is the maximum horsepower rating for these boats?
The Princecraft Pro 179 DX SC 2006 has a documented max rating of 135 hp. Engine specifications for the Princecraft 161 L 2005 were not available in our database — check the OEM spec sheet or manufacturer's website for confirmation.
How many people can each boat hold?
The Princecraft 161 L 2005 is Coast Guard rated for 6 passengers, while the Princecraft Pro 179 DX SC 2006 is certified for 4. 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 Princecraft 161 L 2005 measures 96" wide, compared to 92" for the Princecraft Pro 179 DX SC 2006. 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.
Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Princecraft 161 L 2005 or the Princecraft Pro 179 DX SC 2006?
The Princecraft Pro 179 DX SC 2006 has the bigger tank at 35 gallons, versus 12 gallons on the Princecraft 161 L 2005. That 23-gallon difference translates to roughly 69–115 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.
Are the Princecraft 161 L 2005 and Princecraft Pro 179 DX SC 2006 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Princecraft 161 L 2005 and the Princecraft Pro 179 DX SC 2006 are built by Princecraft. 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.