The Princecraft 161 2004 vs Princecraft 20 ST 2005 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.
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Princecraft 161 2004 measures 16,0 feet overall (2004), giving it roughly 14,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Princecraft 20 ST 2005 at 2,0 feet (2005). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Princecraft 20 ST 2005 tips the scales at 1 734 lbs — 486 lbs less than the Princecraft 161 2004 at 1 248 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.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Princecraft 20 ST 2005 is rated for 11 passengers, while the Princecraft 161 2004 caps at 6. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Princecraft 20 ST 2005 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Princecraft 20 ST 2005 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 11 passengers and at 2,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Princecraft 161 2004 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 6 that costs less to run day-to-day.