Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Princecraft Fisherman 2008 vs Princecraft Vantage 23-4S 2012 — Same Brand, Different Boat
Matching a modified vee Princecraft Fisherman 2008 against a pontoon Princecraft Vantage 23-4S 2012 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.
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Princecraft Vantage 23-4S 2012 measures 23,8 feet overall (2012), giving it roughly 9,8 additional feet of deck space compared to the Princecraft Fisherman 2008 at 14,0 feet (2008). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Princecraft Vantage 23-4S 2012 tips the scales at 2 062 lbs — 1 861 lbs less than the Princecraft Fisherman 2008 at 201 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 Vantage 23-4S 2012 has a 95-hp advantage over the Princecraft Fisherman 2008's 20-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 Vantage 23-4S 2012 is rated for 8 passengers, while the Princecraft Fisherman 2008 caps at 4. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Princecraft Vantage 23-4S 2012 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Princecraft Vantage 23-4S 2012 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 8 passengers and at 23,8 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Princecraft Fisherman 2008 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 4 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
MakePrincecraft
MakePrincecraft
ModelFisherman
ModelVantage 23-4S
Model Year2008
Model Year2012
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam60 in. (1.5 m)
Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.6 m)
Beam - Meters1.52
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Inches6
Beam - Inches102
Depth - Detail26 in. (0.7 m)
Depth - Detailnot available
Depth - Centimeters66.04
Depth - Centimetersnot available
Depth - Inches26
Depth - Inchesnot available
Draft [max] - Detail13 in. (0.4 m)
Draft [max] - Detailnot available
Draft [max] - Meters0.33
Draft [max] - Metersnot available
Draft [max] - Inches13
Draft [max] - Inchesnot available
Weight - Detail201 lbs. (91 kg)
Weight - Detail2,062 lbs. (935 kg)
Weight - kg91.17
Weight - kg935.31
Weight - lbs.201
Weight - lbs.2062
Width [transom] - Detail51 in. (1.3 m)
Width [transom] - Detailnot available
Height [transom]15 in. (0.4 m)
Height [transom]not available
Length - Meters4.3
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Feet14
Length - Feet23.75
Length overall - Detail14 ft. 0 in. (4.3 m)
Length overall - Detail23 ft. 9 in. (7.2 m)
Length overall - Meters4.27
Length overall - Meters7.24
Length overall - Inches168
Length overall - Inches285
Length [deck]not available
Length [deck]22 ft. 8 in. (6.9 m)
Body / Hull
Hull materialAluminum
Hull materialAluminum
Hull thicknessBottom: 0.057 in. (1.4 mm) Side: 0.051 in. (1.3 mm)
Hull thicknessnot available
Hull typeModified Vee
Hull typePontoon
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - DetailPortable
Fuel tank capacity - Detail27 gal. (102 l)
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeOutboard
Engine max20 hp (15 kW)
Engine max115 hp (86 kW)
Fuel tank capacity - Litersnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Liters102.21
Fuel tank capacity - Galnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Gal27
Operational Info
Maximum capacityPerson: 495 lbs. (225 kg) Total: 820 lbs. (372 kg)
Maximum capacity2,065 lbs. (937 kg)
Maximum people4
Maximum people8 / 1,325 lbs. (601 kg)
Pontoon and Inflatable Specific
Tube diameternot available
Tube diameter25 in. (0.64 m)
Tube gaugenot available
Tube gauge0.080 in. (2 mm)
Number of tubesnot available
Number of tubes2