Princecraft Cadet 16 2005 boat specs
Princecraft
Princecraft Cadet 16 2005
2005
View full specs →
VS
Princecraft PW 1860T 2010 boat specs
Princecraft
Princecraft PW 1860T 2010
2010
View full specs →

Princecraft Cadet 16 2005 vs Princecraft PW 1860T 2010 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Princecraft Cadet 16 2005 vs Princecraft PW 1860T 2010 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.

On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Princecraft Cadet 16 2005 at 16,0 ft versus Princecraft PW 1860T 2010 at 18,4 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Princecraft Cadet 16 2005 tips the scales at 588 lbs — 503 lbs more than the Princecraft PW 1860T 2010 at 85 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 PW 1860T 2010 tops out at 60 hp. Engine specs for the Princecraft Cadet 16 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 PW 1860T 2010 is rated for 7 passengers, while the Princecraft Cadet 16 2005 caps at 6. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Princecraft PW 1860T 2010 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Princecraft PW 1860T 2010 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 7 passengers and at 18,4 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Princecraft Cadet 16 2005 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
ModelCadet 16
ModelPW 1860T
Model Year2005
Model Year201
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam6 ft. 0 in. (1.8 m)
Beam83.5 in. (2.12 m)
Beam - Meters1.83
Beam - Meters2.13
Beam - Inches72
Beam - Inches83.5
Weight - Detail588 lbs. (267 kg)
Weight - Detail850 lbs. (386 kg)
Weight - kg266.71
Weight - kg385.55
Weight - lbs.588
Weight - lbs.85
Length - Meters4.9
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Feet16
Length - Feet18.42
Length - Inches4
Length - Inchesnot available
Length overall - Detail16 ft. 4 in. (4.9 m)
Length overall - Detail18 ft. 5 in. (5.61 m)
Length overall - Meters4.98
Length overall - Meters5.61
Length overall - Inches196
Length overall - Inches221
Depth - Detailnot available
Depth - DetailSide: 25 in. (0.64 m)
Depth - Centimetersnot available
Depth - Centimeters63.5
Depth - Inchesnot available
Depth - Inches25
Width [transom] - Detailnot available
Width [transom] - Detail60 in. (1.52 m)
Height [transom]not available
Height [transom]20 in. (0.51 m)
Pontoon and Inflatable Specific
Tube diameter21 in. (0.5 m)
Tube diameternot available
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine/s standard25 hp (19 kw)
Engine/s standardnot available
Fuel tank capacity - DetailPortable
Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available
Drive typeOutBoard
Drive typeOutboard
Fuel typenot available
Fuel typeGas
Engine maxnot available
Engine max60 hp (45 kW)
Operational Info
Maximum capacity1,210 lbs. (549 kg)
Maximum capacity1,680 lbs. (762 kg)
Maximum people6 Persons
Maximum people7 / 1,078 lbs. (489 kg)
Body / Hull
Hull materialnot available
Hull materialAluminum
Hull thicknessnot available
Hull thickness0.110 in. (2.8 mm)
Hull typenot available
Hull typeModified Vee

Princecraft Cadet 16 2005 vs Princecraft PW 1860T 2010 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Princecraft Cadet 16 2005 or the Princecraft PW 1860T 2010?
The Princecraft PW 1860T 2010 is the longer of the two at 18,4 feet overall. The Princecraft Cadet 16 2005 comes in at 16,0 feet, making it roughly 2,4 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.
Which is easier to trailer — the Princecraft Cadet 16 2005 or the Princecraft PW 1860T 2010?
For trailering, the Princecraft PW 1860T 2010 has the edge at 85 lbs dry weight versus 588 lbs for the Princecraft Cadet 16 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 PW 1860T 2010 has a documented max rating of 60 hp. Engine specifications for the Princecraft Cadet 16 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 Cadet 16 2005 is Coast Guard rated for 6 passengers, while the Princecraft PW 1860T 2010 is certified for 7. 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 PW 1860T 2010 measures 84" wide, compared to 72" for the Princecraft Cadet 16 2005. 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.
Are the Princecraft Cadet 16 2005 and Princecraft PW 1860T 2010 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Princecraft Cadet 16 2005 and the Princecraft PW 1860T 2010 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.