Princecraft 26 LP-SS I/O 2005 boat specs
Princecraft
Princecraft 26 LP-SS I/O 2005
2005
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VS
Princecraft Sportfisher 20 L4S 2008 boat specs
Princecraft
Princecraft Sportfisher 20 L4S 2008
2008
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Princecraft 26 LP-SS I/O 2005 vs Princecraft Sportfisher 20 L4S 2008 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Princecraft 26 LP-SS I/O 2005 vs Princecraft Sportfisher 20 L4S 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 24,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Princecraft Sportfisher 20 L4S 2008 at 2,0 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 — 3 755 lbs more than the Princecraft Sportfisher 20 L4S 2008 at 158 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 Sportfisher 20 L4S 2008 tops out at 90 hp. Engine specs for the Princecraft 26 LP-SS I/O 2005 aren't listed — confirm with a dealer before selecting an outboard.Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Princecraft 26 LP-SS I/O 2005 carries 33 gallons versus 18 gallons in the Princecraft Sportfisher 20 L4S 2008. 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 26 LP-SS I/O 2005 is rated for 15 passengers, while the Princecraft Sportfisher 20 L4S 2008 caps at 11. 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 Sportfisher 20 L4S 2008 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 11 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
MakePrincecraft
MakePrincecraft
Model26 LP-SS I/O
ModelSportfisher 20 L4S
Model Year2005
Model Year2008
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.6 m)
Beam8 ft. 0 in. (2.4 m)
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Meters2.44
Beam - Inches102
Beam - Inches96
Weight - Detail3,913 lbs. (1,775 kg)
Weight - Detail1,580 lbs. (717 kg)
Weight - kg1774.91
Weight - kg716.68
Weight - lbs.3913
Weight - lbs.158
Length - Meters8
Length - Meters6.2
Length - Feet26
Length - Feet2
Length - Inches4
Length - Inches4
Length overall - Detail26 ft. 4 in. (8.0 m)
Length overall - Detail20 ft. 4 in. (6.2 m)
Length overall - Meters8.03
Length overall - Meters6.2
Length overall - Inches316
Length overall - Inches244
Length [at waterline]not available
Length [at waterline]Pontoon: 20 ft. 4 in. (6.2 m)
Length [deck]not available
Length [deck]20 ft. 0 in. (6.1 m)
Pontoon and Inflatable Specific
Tube diameter25 in. (0.64 m)
Tube diameter25 in. (0.64 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 - Detail18 gal. (68 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters124.92
Fuel tank capacity - Liters68.14
Fuel tank capacity - Gal33
Fuel tank capacity - Gal18
Drive typeOutBoard
Drive typeOutboard
Fuel typenot available
Fuel typeGas
Engine maxnot available
Engine max90 hp (67 kW)
Operational Info
Maximum capacity3,080 lbs. (1,397 kg)
Maximum capacityPerson: 1,495 lbs. (678 kg) Total: 2,097 lbs. (951 kg)
Maximum people15 persons
Maximum people11
Body / Hull
Hull materialnot available
Hull materialAluminum
Hull typenot available
Hull typePontoon

Princecraft 26 LP-SS I/O 2005 vs Princecraft Sportfisher 20 L4S 2008 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Princecraft 26 LP-SS I/O 2005 or the Princecraft Sportfisher 20 L4S 2008?
The Princecraft 26 LP-SS I/O 2005 is the longer of the two at 26,0 feet overall. The Princecraft Sportfisher 20 L4S 2008 comes in at 2,0 feet, making it roughly 24,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.
Which is easier to trailer — the Princecraft 26 LP-SS I/O 2005 or the Princecraft Sportfisher 20 L4S 2008?
For trailering, the Princecraft Sportfisher 20 L4S 2008 has the edge at 158 lbs dry weight versus 3 913 lbs for the Princecraft 26 LP-SS I/O 2005. 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.
What is the maximum horsepower rating for these boats?
The Princecraft Sportfisher 20 L4S 2008 has a documented max rating of 90 hp. Engine specifications for the Princecraft 26 LP-SS I/O 2005 were not available in our database — check the OEM spec sheet or manufacturer's website for confirmation.
How many people can each boat hold?
The Princecraft 26 LP-SS I/O 2005 is Coast Guard rated for 15 passengers, while the Princecraft Sportfisher 20 L4S 2008 is certified for 11. 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.
Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?
The Princecraft 26 LP-SS I/O 2005 measures 102" wide, compared to 96" for the Princecraft Sportfisher 20 L4S 2008. The US standard-width towing limit is 8’6" (102") in most states — anything over that may need a wide-load permit. Confirm your specific route requirements with each state's DOT.
Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Princecraft 26 LP-SS I/O 2005 or the Princecraft Sportfisher 20 L4S 2008?
The Princecraft 26 LP-SS I/O 2005 has the bigger tank at 33 gallons, versus 18 gallons on the Princecraft Sportfisher 20 L4S 2008. That 15-gallon difference translates to roughly 45–75 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.
Are the Princecraft 26 LP-SS I/O 2005 and Princecraft Sportfisher 20 L4S 2008 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Princecraft 26 LP-SS I/O 2005 and the Princecraft Sportfisher 20 L4S 2008 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.