Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Princecraft 181 2004 vs Princecraft PR 1648MT 2011 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The Princecraft 181 2004 vs Princecraft PR 1648MT 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 181 2004 at 18,0 ft versus Princecraft PR 1648MT 2011 at 15,8 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Princecraft 181 2004 tips the scales at 1 433 lbs — 1 158 lbs more than the Princecraft PR 1648MT 2011 at 275 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 PR 1648MT 2011 tops out at 35 hp. Engine specs for the Princecraft 181 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 181 2004 is rated for 11 passengers, while the Princecraft PR 1648MT 2011 caps at 4. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Princecraft 181 2004 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Princecraft 181 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 PR 1648MT 2011 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 4 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
MakePrincecraft
MakePrincecraft
Model Year2004
Model Year2011
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam8 ft. 0 in
Beam70 in. (1.77 m)
Beam - Meters2.44
Beam - Meters1.78
Beam - Inches96
Beam - Inches7
Weight - Detail1,433 lbs
Weight - Detail275 lbs. (125 kg)
Weight - kg650
Weight - kg124.74
Weight - lbs.1433
Weight - lbs.275
Length - Feet18
Length - Feet15.83
Length - Inches4
Length - Inchesnot available
Length overall - Detail18 ft. 4 in
Length overall - Detail15 ft. 10 in. (4.82 m)
Length overall - Meters5.59
Length overall - Meters4.83
Length overall - Inches22
Length overall - Inches19
Depth - Detailnot available
Depth - DetailSide: 21 in. (0.53 m)
Depth - Centimetersnot available
Depth - Centimeters53.34
Depth - Inchesnot available
Depth - Inches21
Width [transom] - Detailnot available
Width [transom] - Detail48 in. (1.2 m)
Height [transom]not available
Height [transom]20 in. (0.5 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 - DetailPortable
Fuel tank capacity - Liters45.42
Fuel tank capacity - Litersnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Gal12
Fuel tank capacity - Galnot available
Drive typeOutBoard
Drive typeOutboard
Fuel typenot available
Fuel typeGas
Engine maxnot available
Engine max35 hp (26 kW)
Operational Info
Maximum capacity1,465 lbs
Maximum capacity973 lbs. (441 kg)
Maximum people11
Maximum people4 / 555 lbs. (252 kg)
Body / Hull
Hull materialnot available
Hull materialAluminum
Hull thicknessnot available
Hull thickness0.072 in. (1.83 mm)
Hull typenot available
Hull typeFlat