Princecraft 18 2004 boat specs
Princecraft
Princecraft 18 2004
2004
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VS
Princecraft Platinum SE 176 2011 boat specs
Princecraft
Princecraft Platinum SE 176 2011
2011
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Princecraft 18 2004 vs Princecraft Platinum SE 176 2011 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Princecraft 18 2004 vs Princecraft Platinum SE 176 2011 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 18 2004 at 18,0 ft versus Princecraft Platinum SE 176 2011 at 17,5 ft. At 1 394 lbs and 1 435 lbs respectively, both sit in a similar weight class — either should pair comfortably with most mid-size SUVs and half-ton trucks, though always confirm your specific tow rating with the motor added.

The Princecraft Platinum SE 176 2011 tops out at 150 hp. Engine specs for the Princecraft 18 2004 aren't listed — confirm with a dealer before selecting an outboard.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Princecraft 18 2004 is rated for 11 passengers, while the Princecraft Platinum SE 176 2011 caps at 7. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Princecraft 18 2004 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Princecraft 18 2004 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 11 passengers and at 18,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Princecraft Platinum SE 176 2011 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 7 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
MakePrincecraft
MakePrincecraft
Model18
ModelPlatinum SE 176
Model Year2004
Model Year2011
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam8 ft. 0 in
Beam92 in. (2.3 m)
Beam - Meters2.44
Beam - Meters2.34
Beam - Inches96
Beam - Inches92
Weight - Detail1,394 lbs
Weight - Detail1,435 lbs. (651 kg)
Weight - kg632.31
Weight - kg650.9
Weight - lbs.1394
Weight - lbs.1435
Length - Feet18
Length - Feet17.5
Length - Inches4
Length - Inchesnot available
Length overall - Detail18 ft. 4 in
Length overall - Detail17 ft. 6 in. (5.3 m)
Length overall - Meters5.59
Length overall - Meters5.33
Length overall - Inches22
Length overall - Inches21
Depth - Detailnot available
Depth - Detail41 in. (1.0 m)
Depth - Centimetersnot available
Depth - Centimeters104.14
Depth - Inchesnot available
Depth - Inches41
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] - Detail80 in. (2.0 m)
Height [transom]not available
Height [transom]25 in. (0.6 m)
Pontoon and Inflatable Specific
Tube diameter23 in
Tube diameternot available
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine/s standard60 hp
Engine/s standardnot available
Fuel tank capacity - DetailPortable
Fuel tank capacity - Detail40 gal. (151 l)
Drive typeOutBoard
Drive typeOutboard
Fuel tank capacity - Litersnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Liters151.42
Fuel tank capacity - Galnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Gal4
Fuel typenot available
Fuel typeGas
Engine maxnot available
Engine max150 hp (112 kW)
Operational Info
Maximum capacity1,465 lbs
Maximum capacity1,736 lbs. (787 kg)
Maximum people11
Maximum people7 / 992 lbs. (450 kg)
Body / Hull
Hull materialnot available
Hull materialAluminum
Hull thicknessnot available
Hull thicknessBottom: 0.100 in. (2.5 mm) Side: 0.072 in. (1.8 mm)
Hull typenot available
Hull typeModified Vee

Princecraft 18 2004 vs Princecraft Platinum SE 176 2011 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Princecraft 18 2004 or the Princecraft Platinum SE 176 2011?
The Princecraft 18 2004 is the longer of the two at 18,0 feet overall. The Princecraft Platinum SE 176 2011 comes in at 17,5 feet, making it roughly 0,5 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.
Which is easier to trailer — the Princecraft 18 2004 or the Princecraft Platinum SE 176 2011?
For trailering, the Princecraft 18 2004 has the edge at 1 394 lbs dry weight versus 1 435 lbs for the Princecraft Platinum SE 176 2011. 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 Platinum SE 176 2011 has a documented max rating of 150 hp. Engine specifications for the Princecraft 18 2004 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 18 2004 is Coast Guard rated for 11 passengers, while the Princecraft Platinum SE 176 2011 is certified for 7. 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 18 2004 measures 96" wide, compared to 92" for the Princecraft Platinum SE 176 2011. 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.
Are the Princecraft 18 2004 and Princecraft Platinum SE 176 2011 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Princecraft 18 2004 and the Princecraft Platinum SE 176 2011 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.