Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Princecraft 26 LP-SS I/O 2005 vs Princecraft Cadet 2008 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The Princecraft 26 LP-SS I/O 2005 vs Princecraft Cadet 2008 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 26 LP-SS I/O 2005 measures 26,0 feet overall (2005), giving it roughly 10,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Princecraft Cadet 2008 at 16,0 feet (2008). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Princecraft 26 LP-SS I/O 2005 tips the scales at 3 913 lbs — 3 325 lbs more than the Princecraft Cadet 2008 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.
The Princecraft Cadet 2008 tops out at 25 hp. Engine specs for the Princecraft 26 LP-SS I/O 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 26 LP-SS I/O 2005 is rated for 15 passengers, while the Princecraft Cadet 2008 caps at 6. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Princecraft 26 LP-SS I/O 2005 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Princecraft 26 LP-SS I/O 2005 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 15 passengers and at 26,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Princecraft Cadet 2008 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 6 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
MakePrincecraft
MakePrincecraft
Model26 LP-SS I/O
ModelCadet
Model Year2005
Model Year2008
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.6 m)
Beam6 ft. 0 in. (1.8 m)
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Meters1.83
Beam - Inches102
Beam - Inches72
Weight - Detail3,913 lbs. (1,775 kg)
Weight - Detail588 lbs. (267 kg)
Weight - kg1774.91
Weight - kg266.71
Weight - lbs.3913
Weight - lbs.588
Length - Meters8
Length - Meters4.9
Length - Feet26
Length - Feet16
Length - Inches4
Length - Inches4
Length overall - Detail26 ft. 4 in. (8.0 m)
Length overall - Detail16 ft. 4 in. (4.9 m)
Length overall - Meters8.03
Length overall - Meters4.98
Length overall - Inches316
Length overall - Inches196
Length [at waterline]not available
Length [at waterline]Pontoon: 16 ft. 4 in. (4.9 m)
Length [deck]not available
Length [deck]16 ft. 0 in. (4.8 m)
Pontoon and Inflatable Specific
Tube diameter25 in. (0.64 m)
Tube diameter21 in. (0.53 m)
Tube gaugenot available
Tube gauge0.080 in. (2 mm)
Number of tubesnot available
Number of tubes2
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine/s standard220 hp (164 kw)
Engine/s standardnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Detail33 gal. Built-in (125 l)
Fuel tank capacity - DetailPortable
Fuel tank capacity - Liters124.92
Fuel tank capacity - Litersnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Gal33
Fuel tank capacity - Galnot available
Drive typeOutBoard
Drive typeOutboard
Fuel typenot available
Fuel typeGas
Engine maxnot available
Engine max25 hp (19 kW)
Operational Info
Maximum capacity3,080 lbs. (1,397 kg)
Maximum capacityPerson: 885 lbs. (401 kg) Total: 1,210 lbs. (549 kg)
Maximum people15 persons
Maximum people6
Body / Hull
Hull materialnot available
Hull materialAluminum
Hull typenot available
Hull typePontoon