Princecraft 181 L 2004 boat specs
Princecraft
Princecraft 181 L 2004
2004
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VS
Princecraft Pro Series 179 SC 2010 boat specs
Princecraft
Princecraft Pro Series 179 SC 2010
2010
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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

Princecraft 181 L 2004 vs Princecraft Pro Series 179 SC 2010 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Princecraft 181 L 2004 or the Princecraft Pro Series 179 SC 2010?
The Princecraft 181 L 2004 is the longer of the two at 18,0 feet overall. The Princecraft Pro Series 179 SC 2010 comes in at 17,3 feet, making it roughly 0,7 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.
Which is easier to trailer — the Princecraft 181 L 2004 or the Princecraft Pro Series 179 SC 2010?
For trailering, the Princecraft Pro Series 179 SC 2010 has the edge at 1 229 lbs dry weight versus 1 433 lbs for the Princecraft 181 L 2004. 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 Pro Series 179 SC 2010 has a documented max rating of 135 hp. Engine specifications for the Princecraft 181 L 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 181 L 2004 is Coast Guard rated for 11 passengers, while the Princecraft Pro Series 179 SC 2010 is certified for 5. 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 181 L 2004 measures 96" wide, compared to 92" for the Princecraft Pro Series 179 SC 2010. 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 181 L 2004 or the Princecraft Pro Series 179 SC 2010?
The Princecraft 181 L 2004 has the bigger tank at 12 gallons, versus 4 gallons on the Princecraft Pro Series 179 SC 2010. That 8-gallon difference translates to roughly 24–40 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.
Are the Princecraft 181 L 2004 and Princecraft Pro Series 179 SC 2010 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Princecraft 181 L 2004 and the Princecraft Pro Series 179 SC 2010 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.