Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Princecraft 181 L 2005 vs Princecraft Brio<sup>e</sup> 17 2012: Same Brand, Different Boat
The Princecraft 181 L 2005 vs Princecraft Brio<sup>e</sup> 17 2012 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 2005 at 18,0 ft versus Princecraft Brio<sup>e</sup> 17 2012 at 17,1 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Princecraft 181 L 2005 tips the scales at 1 433 lbs - 127 lbs more than the Princecraft Brio<sup>e</sup> 17 2012 at 1 306 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 Brio<sup>e</sup> 17 2012 tops out at 48 hp. Engine specs for the Princecraft 181 L 2005 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 181 L 2005 is rated for 9 passengers, while the Princecraft Brio<sup>e</sup> 17 2012 caps at 7. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Princecraft 181 L 2005 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Princecraft 181 L 2005 if your priority is putting more people on the water - it handles 9 passengers and at 18,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Princecraft Brio<sup>e</sup> 17 2012 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
Model Year2005
Model Year2012
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam8 ft. 0 in. (2.4 m)
Beam7 ft. 6 in. (2.3 m)
Beam - Meters2.44
Beam - Meters2.29
Beam - Inches96
Beam - Inches90
Weight - Detail1,433 lbs. (650 kg)
Weight - Detail1,306 lbs. (592 kg)
Weight - kg650
Weight - kg592.39
Weight - lbs.1433
Weight - lbs.1306
Length - Meters5.6
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Feet18
Length - Feet17.08
Length - Inches4
Length - Inchesnot available
Length overall - Detail18 ft. 4 in. (5.6 m)
Length overall - Detail17 ft. 1 in. (5.2 m)
Length overall - Meters5.59
Length overall - Meters5.21
Length overall - Inches220
Length overall - Inches205
Length [deck]not available
Length [deck]16 ft. 1 in. (4.9 m)
Pontoon and Inflatable Specific
Tube diameter23 in. (0.58 m)
Tube diameter23 in. (0.58 m)
Tube gaugenot available
Tube gauge0.080 in. (2 mm)
Number of tubesnot available
Number of tubes2
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine/s standard60 hp (45 kw)
Engine/s standardnot available
Fuel tank capacity - DetailPortable Optional (Permanent): 12 gal. (45 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Liters45.42
Fuel tank capacity - Litersnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Gal12
Fuel tank capacity - Galnot available
Drive typeOutBoard
Drive typeOther
Fuel typenot available
Fuel typeElectric
Horsepowernot available
Horsepower9.9 hp
Engine maxnot available
Engine max48V / Cruise 4.0R
Operational Info
Maximum capacity1,730 lbs. (785 kg)
Maximum capacity1,393 lbs. (632 kg)
Maximum people9 Persons
Maximum people7 / 1,018 lbs. (462 kg)
Body / Hull
Hull materialnot available
Hull materialAluminum
Hull typenot available
Hull typePontoon