Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Princecraft Fisherman 2012 vs Princecraft Platinum SP 196 I/O 2005 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The Princecraft Fisherman 2012 vs Princecraft Platinum SP 196 I/O 2005 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 Platinum SP 196 I/O 2005 measures 19,0 feet overall (2005), giving it roughly 5,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Princecraft Fisherman 2012 at 14,0 feet (2012). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Princecraft Platinum SP 196 I/O 2005 tips the scales at 2 419 lbs — 2 218 lbs less than the Princecraft Fisherman 2012 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 220 hp, the Princecraft Platinum SP 196 I/O 2005 has a 200-hp advantage over the Princecraft Fisherman 2012'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 Platinum SP 196 I/O 2005 is rated for 9 passengers, while the Princecraft Fisherman 2012 caps at 4. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Princecraft Platinum SP 196 I/O 2005 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Princecraft Platinum SP 196 I/O 2005 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 9 passengers and at 19,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Princecraft Fisherman 2012 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
ModelPlatinum SP 196 I/O
Model Year2012
Model Year2005
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam60 in. (1.5 m)
Beam96 in. (2.4 m)
Beam - Meters1.52
Beam - Meters2.44
Beam - Inches6
Beam - Inches96
Depth - Detail26 in. (0.7 m)
Depth - Detail47.5 in. (1.2 m)
Depth - Centimeters66.04
Depth - Centimeters121.92
Depth - Inches26
Depth - Inches47.5
Draft [max] - Detail13 in. (0.4 m)
Draft [max] - Detail32 in. (0.8 m)
Draft [max] - Meters0.33
Draft [max] - Meters0.81
Draft [max] - Inches13
Draft [max] - Inches32
Weight - Detail201 lbs. (91 kg)
Weight - Detail2,419 lbs. (1,097 kg)
Weight - kg91.17
Weight - kg1097.24
Weight - lbs.201
Weight - lbs.2419
Width [transom] - Detail51 in. (1.3 m)
Width [transom] - Detail80 in. (2.0 m)
Height [transom]15 in. (0.4 m)
Height [transom]39 in. (1.0 m)
Length - Feet14
Length - Feet19
Length overall - Detail14 ft. (4.3 m)
Length overall - Detail19 ft. 6 in. (5.9 m)
Length overall - Meters4.27
Length overall - Meters5.94
Length overall - Inches168
Length overall - Inches234
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Meters5.9
Length - Inchesnot available
Length - Inches6
Body / Hull
Hull materialAluminum
Hull materialnot available
Hull thicknessBottom: 0.057 in. (1.4 mm) Side: 0.051 in. (1.3 mm)
Hull thicknessBottom: .110 in. (2.8 mm) Side: .072 in. (1.8 mm)
Hull typeModified Vee
Hull typenot available
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - DetailPortable
Fuel tank capacity - Detail60 gal. Buklt-in (227 l) (Specifications based on boat equipped with 4.3 l engine)
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typenot available
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeI/O
Engine max20 hp (15 kW)
Engine max220 hp (164 kw)
Fuel tank capacity - Litersnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Liters227.12
Fuel tank capacity - Galnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Gal6
Operational Info
Maximum capacity820 lbs. (372 kg)
Maximum capacity1,600 lbs. (726 kg)
Maximum people4 / 495 lbs. (225 kg)
Maximum people9