Princecraft 20 ST 2006 vs Princecraft Platinum SP 196 O/B 2004 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Princecraft 20 ST 2006 or the Princecraft Platinum SP 196 O/B 2004?

For trailering, the Princecraft Platinum SP 196 O/B 2004 has the edge at 15 lbs dry weight versus 1 775 lbs for the Princecraft 20 ST 2006. 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.

Q: Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Princecraft Platinum SP 196 O/B 2004 is rated to a maximum of 200 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Princecraft 20 ST 2006 tops out at 90 hp. Keep in mind that maximum ratings are just that — matching the motor to the actual load and usage pattern usually matters more than chasing the ceiling.

Q: How many people can each boat hold?

The Princecraft 20 ST 2006 is Coast Guard rated for 11 passengers, while the Princecraft Platinum SP 196 O/B 2004 is certified for 9. 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.

Q: Do these boats require an oversize trailer permit to tow on US highways?

Both the Princecraft 20 ST 2006 and Princecraft Platinum SP 196 O/B 2004 share an 8 ft. 0 in. (2.4 m) beam — meaning both sit right at the 8’6" threshold that most US states use for standard-width loads. In most states you can tow at that width without a special permit, but regulations vary. Always check the rules for your state and any states you'll be passing through before your first long haul.

Q: Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Princecraft 20 ST 2006 or the Princecraft Platinum SP 196 O/B 2004?

The Princecraft 20 ST 2006 has the bigger tank at 33 gallons, versus 6 gallons on the Princecraft Platinum SP 196 O/B 2004. That 27-gallon difference translates to roughly 81–135 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Princecraft 20 ST 2006 and Princecraft Platinum SP 196 O/B 2004 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Princecraft 20 ST 2006 and the Princecraft Platinum SP 196 O/B 2004 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.

Boat Comparison

Princecraft 20 ST 2006 vs Princecraft Platinum SP 196 O/B 2004

Princecraft

Princecraft 20 ST 2006

2006

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Princecraft

Princecraft Platinum SP 196 O/B 2004

2004

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Princecraft 20 ST 2006 vs Princecraft Platinum SP 196 O/B 2004 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Princecraft 20 ST 2006 vs Princecraft Platinum SP 196 O/B 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.

The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 200 hp, the Princecraft Platinum SP 196 O/B 2004 has a 110-hp advantage over the Princecraft 20 ST 2006's 90-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Princecraft 20 ST 2006 carries 33 gallons versus 6 gallons in the Princecraft Platinum SP 196 O/B 2004. 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 20 ST 2006 is rated for 11 passengers, while the Princecraft Platinum SP 196 O/B 2004 caps at 9. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Princecraft 20 ST 2006 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Princecraft 20 ST 2006 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 11 passengers and at 2,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Princecraft Platinum SP 196 O/B 2004 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 9 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakePrincecraft

Model20 ST

ModelPlatinum SP 196 O/B

Model Year2006

Model Year2004

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam8 ft. 0 in. (2.4 m)

Beam96 in

Beam - Meters2.44

Beam - Inches96

Weight - Detail1,775 lbs. (805 kg)

Weight - Detail1500 lbs

Weight - kg805.13

Weight - kg680.39

Weight - lbs.1775

Weight - lbs.15

Length [deck]20 ft. 0 in. (6.1 m)

Length [deck]not available

Length - Meters6.2

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Feet2

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Inches4

Length - Inchesnot available

Length overall - Detail20 ft. 4 in. (6.2 m)

Length overall - Detail19 ft. 6 in

Length overall - Meters6.2

Length overall - Meters5.94

Length overall - Inches244

Length overall - Inches234

Draft [max] - Detailnot available

Draft [max] - Detail31 in

Draft [max] - Metersnot available

Draft [max] - Meters0.79

Draft [max] - Inchesnot available

Draft [max] - Inches31

Height - Detailnot available

Height - Detail47.5 in

Height - Metersnot available

Height - Meters1.22

Height - Inchesnot available

Height - Inches47.5

Height [transom]not available

Height [transom]25 in

Pontoon and Inflatable Specific

Tube diameter25 in. (0.64 m)

Tube diameternot available

Tube gauge.080 in. (2.0 mm)

Tube gaugenot available

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail33 gal. (125 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail60 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Liters124.92

Fuel tank capacity - Liters227.12

Fuel tank capacity - Gal33

Fuel tank capacity - Gal6

Fuel typeGas

Fuel typenot available

Drive typeOutboard

Drive typenot available

Engine max90 hp (67 kw)

Engine max200 HP

Operational Info

Maximum capacity2,097 lbs. (951 kg)

Maximum capacity1915 lbs

Maximum people11

Maximum people9 Persons

Princecraft 20 ST 2006 vs Princecraft Platinum SP 196 O/B 2004 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Princecraft 20 ST 2006 or the Princecraft Platinum SP 196 O/B 2004?

For trailering, the Princecraft Platinum SP 196 O/B 2004 has the edge at 15 lbs dry weight versus 1 775 lbs for the Princecraft 20 ST 2006. 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.

Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Princecraft Platinum SP 196 O/B 2004 is rated to a maximum of 200 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Princecraft 20 ST 2006 tops out at 90 hp. Keep in mind that maximum ratings are just that — matching the motor to the actual load and usage pattern usually matters more than chasing the ceiling.

How many people can each boat hold?

The Princecraft 20 ST 2006 is Coast Guard rated for 11 passengers, while the Princecraft Platinum SP 196 O/B 2004 is certified for 9. 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.

Do these boats require an oversize trailer permit to tow on US highways?

Both the Princecraft 20 ST 2006 and Princecraft Platinum SP 196 O/B 2004 share an 8 ft. 0 in. (2.4 m) beam — meaning both sit right at the 8’6" threshold that most US states use for standard-width loads. In most states you can tow at that width without a special permit, but regulations vary. Always check the rules for your state and any states you'll be passing through before your first long haul.

Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Princecraft 20 ST 2006 or the Princecraft Platinum SP 196 O/B 2004?

The Princecraft 20 ST 2006 has the bigger tank at 33 gallons, versus 6 gallons on the Princecraft Platinum SP 196 O/B 2004. That 27-gallon difference translates to roughly 81–135 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Princecraft 20 ST 2006 and Princecraft Platinum SP 196 O/B 2004 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Princecraft 20 ST 2006 and the Princecraft Platinum SP 196 O/B 2004 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.

← Princecraft 20 ST 2006 full specs ← Princecraft Platinum SP 196 O/B 2004 full specs