Matching a pontoon Princecraft Cadet 2008 against a deep vee Princecraft Xpedition 170 WS 2013 means you're likely deciding between two genuinely 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 Cadet 2008 at 16,0 ft versus Princecraft Xpedition 170 WS 2013 at 16,9 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Princecraft Xpedition 170 WS 2013 tips the scales at 1 166 lbs — 578 lbs less 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 power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 115 hp, the Princecraft Xpedition 170 WS 2013 has a 90-hp advantage over the Princecraft Cadet 2008's 25-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 Cadet 2008 is rated for 6 passengers, while the Princecraft Xpedition 170 WS 2013 caps at 5. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Princecraft Cadet 2008 could be the deciding factor.

At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Princecraft Xpedition 170 WS 2013 comes in at 10 lbs per hp versus 24 lbs per hp for the Princecraft Cadet 2008. 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.