Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Princecraft 181 L 2004 vs Princecraft Pro Series 179 SC 2010 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The Princecraft 181 L 2004 vs Princecraft Pro Series 179 SC 2010 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 Pro Series 179 SC 2010 at 17,3 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Princecraft 181 L 2004 tips the scales at 1 433 lbs — 204 lbs more than the Princecraft Pro Series 179 SC 2010 at 1 229 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 Series 179 SC 2010 tops out at 135 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 181 L 2004 carries 12 gallons versus 4 gallons in the Princecraft Pro Series 179 SC 2010. 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 Pro Series 179 SC 2010 caps at 5. 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 Pro Series 179 SC 2010 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 5 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
MakePrincecraft
MakePrincecraft
Model181 L
ModelPro Series 179 SC
Model Year2004
Model Year201
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam8 ft. 0 in
Beam92 in. (2.3 m)
Beam - Meters2.44
Beam - Meters2.34
Beam - Inches96
Beam - Inches92
Weight - Detail1,433 lbs
Weight - Detail1,229 lbs. (557 kg)
Weight - kg650
Weight - kg557.46
Weight - lbs.1433
Weight - lbs.1229
Length - Feet18
Length - Feet17.33
Length - Inches4
Length - Inchesnot available
Length overall - Detail18 ft. 4 in
Length overall - Detail17 ft. 4 in. (5.3 m)
Length overall - Meters5.59
Length overall - Meters5.28
Length overall - Inches22
Length overall - Inches208
Depth - Detailnot available
Depth - Detail37 in. (0.9 m)
Depth - Centimetersnot available
Depth - Centimeters93.98
Depth - Inchesnot available
Depth - Inches37
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 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 - Detail12 gal
Fuel tank capacity - Detail40 gal. (151 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters45.42
Fuel tank capacity - Liters151.42
Fuel tank capacity - Gal12
Fuel tank capacity - Gal4
Drive typeOutBoard
Drive typeOutboard
Fuel typenot available
Fuel typeGas
Engine maxnot available
Engine max135 hp (101 kW)
Operational Info
Maximum capacity1,465 lbs
Maximum capacityPerson: 670 lbs. (304 kg) Total: 1,410 lbs. (640 kg)
Maximum people11
Maximum people5
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