Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Princecraft 181 L 2004 vs Princecraft Hudson DLX BT 2013 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The Princecraft 181 L 2004 vs Princecraft Hudson DLX BT 2013 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 181 L 2004 at 18,0 ft versus Princecraft Hudson DLX BT 2013 at 19,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Princecraft 181 L 2004 tips the scales at 1 433 lbs — 1 316 lbs more than the Princecraft Hudson DLX BT 2013 at 117 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 Hudson DLX BT 2013 tops out at 90 hp. Engine specs for the Princecraft 181 L 2004 aren't listed — confirm with a dealer before selecting an outboard.Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Princecraft Hudson DLX BT 2013 carries 27 gallons versus 12 gallons in the Princecraft 181 L 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 181 L 2004 is rated for 11 passengers, while the Princecraft Hudson DLX BT 2013 caps at 6. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Princecraft 181 L 2004 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Princecraft 181 L 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 Hudson DLX BT 2013 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
MakePrincecraft
Model181 L
ModelHudson DLX BT
Model Year2004
Model Year2013
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam8 ft. 0 in
Beam91 in. (2.3 m)
Beam - Meters2.44
Beam - Meters2.31
Beam - Inches96
Beam - Inches91
Weight - Detail1,433 lbs
Weight - Detail1,170 lbs. (531 kg)
Weight - kg650
Weight - kg530.7
Weight - lbs.1433
Weight - lbs.117
Length - Feet18
Length - Feet19
Length - Inches4
Length - Inchesnot available
Length overall - Detail18 ft. 4 in
Length overall - Detail19 ft. (5.8 m)
Length overall - Meters5.59
Length overall - Meters5.79
Length overall - Inches22
Length overall - Inches228
Depth - Detailnot available
Depth - Detail35 in. (0.9 m)
Depth - Centimetersnot available
Depth - Centimeters88.9
Depth - Inchesnot available
Depth - Inches35
Draft [max] - Detailnot available
Draft [max] - Detail33 in. (0.8 m)
Draft [max] - Metersnot available
Draft [max] - Meters0.84
Draft [max] - Inchesnot available
Draft [max] - Inches33
Width [transom] - Detailnot available
Width [transom] - Detail78 in. (2 m) chine
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 - Detail12 gal
Fuel tank capacity - Detail27 gal. (102 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters45.42
Fuel tank capacity - Liters102.21
Fuel tank capacity - Gal12
Fuel tank capacity - Gal27
Drive typeOutBoard
Drive typeOutboard
Fuel typenot available
Fuel typeGas
Engine maxnot available
Engine max90 hp (67 kW)
Operational Info
Maximum capacity1,465 lbs
Maximum capacity1,348 lbs. (611 kg)
Maximum people11
Maximum people6 / 746 lbs. (338 kg)
Body / Hull
Hull materialnot available
Hull materialAluminum
Hull thicknessnot available
Hull thickness0.10 in. (2.5 mm) bottom 0.072 in. (1.8 mm) side
Hull typenot available
Hull typeDeep Vee