Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Princecraft Brio e 15 2013 vs Princecraft Pro 185 GL 2008: Same Brand, Different Boat
The Princecraft Brio e 15 2013 is a pontoon design and the Princecraft Pro 185 GL 2008 is a modified-V design, so you're likely deciding between two noticeably different on-water experiences. Hull type shapes everything from ride quality and fuel burn to dock handling and resale trajectory.
On paper these two are close siblings in the size department - Princecraft Brio e 15 2013 at 15,1 ft versus Princecraft Pro 185 GL 2008 at 18,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Princecraft Pro 185 GL 2008 tips the scales at 1 490 lbs - 396 lbs less than the Princecraft Brio e 15 2013 at 1 094 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 power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 175 hp, the Princecraft Pro 185 GL 2008 has a 165-hp advantage over the Princecraft Brio e 15 2013's 10-hp ceiling - enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Princecraft Pro 185 GL 2008 is rated for 8 passengers, while the Princecraft Brio e 15 2013 caps at 6. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Princecraft Pro 185 GL 2008 could be the deciding factor.
At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Princecraft Pro 185 GL 2008 comes in at 9 lbs per hp versus 111 lbs per hp for the Princecraft Brio e 15 2013. The lower the ratio the more explosive the acceleration - meaningful on a short RIB where bursts of speed, quick planing, and agility in surf or tight waterways define the experience.
Bottom line: Choose the Princecraft Pro 185 GL 2008 if your priority is putting more people on the water - it handles 8 passengers and at 18,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Princecraft Brio e 15 2013 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
ModelBrio e 15
ModelPro 185 GL
Model Year2013
Model Year2008
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam7 ft. 6 in. (2.3 m)
Beam95 in. (2.4 m)
Beam - Meters2.29
Beam - Meters2.41
Beam - Inches90
Beam - Inches95
Weight - Detail1,094 lbs. (496 kg)
Weight - Detail1,490 lbs. (676 kg)
Weight - kg496.23
Weight - kg675.85
Weight - lbs.1094
Weight - lbs.1490
Length [at waterline]14 ft. 3 in. (4.3 m) pontoon
Length [at waterline]not available
Length [deck]14 ft. 1 in. (4.3 m)
Length [deck]not available
Length - Feet15.08
Length - Feet18
Length overall - Detail15 ft. 1 in. (4.6 m)
Length overall - Detail18 ft. 6 in. (5.6 m)
Length overall - Meters4.6
Length overall - Meters5.64
Length overall - Inches181
Length overall - Inches222
Depth - Detailnot available
Depth - Detail46 in. (1.2 m)
Depth - Centimetersnot available
Depth - Centimeters116.84
Depth - Inchesnot available
Depth - Inches46
Draft [max] - Detailnot available
Draft [max] - Detail33 in. (0.8 m)
Draft [max] - Metersnot available
Draft [max] - Meters0.84
Draft [max] - Inchesnot available
Draft [max] - Inches33
Width [transom] - Detailnot available
Width [transom] - Detail80 in. (2.0 m)
Height [transom]not available
Height [transom]25 in. (0.6 m)
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Meters5.6
Length - Inchesnot available
Length - Inches6
Body / Hull
Hull materialAluminum
Hull materialAluminum
Hull typePontoon
Hull typeModified Vee
Hull thicknessnot available
Hull thicknessBottom: 0.110 in. (2.8 mm); Side: 0.072 in. (1.8 mm)
Pontoon and Inflatable Specific
Tube diameter23 in. (0.58 m)
Tube diameternot available
Tube gauge0.08 in. (2 mm)
Tube gaugenot available
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel typeElectric
Fuel typeGas
Engine max9.9 hp, 48V
Engine max175 hp (131 kW)
Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Detail40 gal. (151 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Litersnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Liters151.42
Fuel tank capacity - Galnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Gal40
Drive typenot available
Drive typeOutboard
Operational Info
Maximum capacity1,217 lbs. (552 kg)
Maximum capacityPerson: 1,158 lbs. (525 kg); Total: 1,902 lbs. (863 kg)
Maximum people6 / 842 lbs. (382 kg)
Maximum people8