The Princecraft 20 L 2004 vs Princecraft Cadet 16 2004 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.
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Princecraft Cadet 16 2004 measures 16,0 feet overall (2004), giving it roughly 14,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Princecraft 20 L 2004 at 2,0 feet (2004). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Princecraft 20 L 2004 tips the scales at 1 734 lbs — 1 146 lbs more than the Princecraft Cadet 16 2004 at 588 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.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Princecraft 20 L 2004 is rated for 13 passengers, while the Princecraft Cadet 16 2004 caps at 7. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Princecraft 20 L 2004 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Princecraft 20 L 2004 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 13 passengers and at 2,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Princecraft Cadet 16 2004 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 7 that costs less to run day-to-day.