Princecraft 161 L 2005 vs Princecraft Tournament SP 188 BT 2004 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Princecraft 161 L 2005 or the Princecraft Tournament SP 188 BT 2004?

For trailering, the Princecraft Tournament SP 188 BT 2004 has the edge at 1 192 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.

Q: What is the maximum horsepower rating for these boats?

The Princecraft Tournament SP 188 BT 2004 has a documented max rating of 80 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.

Q: How many people can each boat hold?

The Princecraft 161 L 2005 is Coast Guard rated for 6 passengers, while the Princecraft Tournament SP 188 BT 2004 is certified for 8. 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.

Q: Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Princecraft 161 L 2005 measures 96" wide, compared to 94" for the Princecraft Tournament SP 188 BT 2004. 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.

Q: Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Princecraft 161 L 2005 or the Princecraft Tournament SP 188 BT 2004?

The Princecraft 161 L 2005 has the bigger tank at 12 gallons, versus 6 gallons on the Princecraft Tournament SP 188 BT 2004. That 6-gallon difference translates to roughly 18–30 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Princecraft 161 L 2005 and Princecraft Tournament SP 188 BT 2004 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Princecraft 161 L 2005 and the Princecraft Tournament SP 188 BT 2004 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.

Boat Comparison

Princecraft 161 L 2005 vs Princecraft Tournament SP 188 BT 2004

Princecraft

Princecraft 161 L 2005

2005

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Princecraft

Princecraft Tournament SP 188 BT 2004

2004

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Princecraft 161 L 2005 vs Princecraft Tournament SP 188 BT 2004 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Princecraft 161 L 2005 vs Princecraft Tournament SP 188 BT 2004 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.

The Princecraft Tournament SP 188 BT 2004 tops out at 80 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 161 L 2005 carries 12 gallons versus 6 gallons in the Princecraft Tournament SP 188 BT 2004. 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 Tournament SP 188 BT 2004 is rated for 8 passengers, while the Princecraft 161 L 2005 caps at 6. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Princecraft Tournament SP 188 BT 2004 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Princecraft Tournament SP 188 BT 2004 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 8 passengers and at 0,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Princecraft 161 L 2005 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 6 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakePrincecraft

Model161 L

ModelTournament SP 188 BT

Model Year2005

Model Year2004

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam8 ft. 0 in. (2.4 m)

Beam94 in

Beam - Meters2.44

Beam - Meters2.39

Beam - Inches96

Beam - Inches94

Weight - Detail1,248 lbs. (566 kg)

Weight - Detail1192 lbs

Weight - kg566.08

Weight - kg540.68

Weight - lbs.1248

Weight - lbs.1192

Length - Meters4.9

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Feet16

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Inches4

Length - Inchesnot available

Length overall - Detail16 ft. 4 in. (4.9 m)

Length overall - Detail18 ft. 4 in

Length overall - Meters4.98

Length overall - Meters5.59

Length overall - Inches196

Length overall - Inches22

Draft [max] - Detailnot available

Draft [max] - Detail31 in

Draft [max] - Metersnot available

Draft [max] - Meters0.79

Draft [max] - Inchesnot available

Draft [max] - Inches31

Height - Detailnot available

Height - Detail40 in

Height - Metersnot available

Height - Meters1.02

Height - Inchesnot available

Height - Inches4

Height [transom]not available

Height [transom]20 in

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 - Detail60 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Liters45.42

Fuel tank capacity - Liters227.12

Fuel tank capacity - Gal12

Fuel tank capacity - Gal6

Drive typeOutBoard

Drive typenot available

Engine maxnot available

Engine max80 HP

Operational Info

Maximum capacity1,386 lbs. (629 kg)

Maximum capacity1600 lbs

Maximum people6 Persons

Maximum people8 Persons

Princecraft 161 L 2005 vs Princecraft Tournament SP 188 BT 2004 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Princecraft 161 L 2005 or the Princecraft Tournament SP 188 BT 2004?

For trailering, the Princecraft Tournament SP 188 BT 2004 has the edge at 1 192 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 Tournament SP 188 BT 2004 has a documented max rating of 80 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 Tournament SP 188 BT 2004 is certified for 8. 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 94" for the Princecraft Tournament SP 188 BT 2004. 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 Tournament SP 188 BT 2004?

The Princecraft 161 L 2005 has the bigger tank at 12 gallons, versus 6 gallons on the Princecraft Tournament SP 188 BT 2004. That 6-gallon difference translates to roughly 18–30 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Princecraft 161 L 2005 and Princecraft Tournament SP 188 BT 2004 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Princecraft 161 L 2005 and the Princecraft Tournament SP 188 BT 2004 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.

← Princecraft 161 L 2005 full specs ← Princecraft Tournament SP 188 BT 2004 full specs