Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Princecraft Fisherman 2012 vs Princecraft Sportfisher 20 L4S 2008 — Same Brand, Different Boat
Matching a modified vee Princecraft Fisherman 2012 against a pontoon Princecraft Sportfisher 20 L4S 2008 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 Fisherman 2012 measures 14,0 feet overall (2012), giving it roughly 12,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Princecraft Sportfisher 20 L4S 2008 at 2,0 feet (2008). At 201 lbs and 158 lbs respectively, both sit in a similar weight class — either should pair comfortably with most mid-size SUVs and half-ton trucks, though always confirm your specific tow rating with the motor added.
The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 90 hp, the Princecraft Sportfisher 20 L4S 2008 has a 70-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 Sportfisher 20 L4S 2008 is rated for 11 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 Sportfisher 20 L4S 2008 could be the deciding factor.
At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Princecraft Sportfisher 20 L4S 2008 comes in at 2 lbs per hp versus 10 lbs per hp for the Princecraft Fisherman 2012. 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 Sportfisher 20 L4S 2008 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 11 passengers and at 2,0 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
ModelSportfisher 20 L4S
Model Year2012
Model Year2008
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam60 in. (1.5 m)
Beam8 ft. 0 in. (2.4 m)
Beam - Meters1.52
Beam - Meters2.44
Beam - Inches6
Beam - Inches96
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 - Detail1,580 lbs. (717 kg)
Weight - kg91.17
Weight - kg716.68
Weight - lbs.201
Weight - lbs.158
Width [transom] - Detail51 in. (1.3 m)
Width [transom] - Detailnot available
Height [transom]15 in. (0.4 m)
Height [transom]not available
Length - Feet14
Length - Feet2
Length overall - Detail14 ft. (4.3 m)
Length overall - Detail20 ft. 4 in. (6.2 m)
Length overall - Meters4.27
Length overall - Meters6.2
Length overall - Inches168
Length overall - Inches244
Length [at waterline]not available
Length [at waterline]Pontoon: 20 ft. 4 in. (6.2 m)
Length [deck]not available
Length [deck]20 ft. 0 in. (6.1 m)
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Meters6.2
Length - Inchesnot available
Length - Inches4
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 - Detail18 gal. (68 l)
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeOutboard
Engine max20 hp (15 kW)
Engine max90 hp (67 kW)
Fuel tank capacity - Litersnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Liters68.14
Fuel tank capacity - Galnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Gal18
Operational Info
Maximum capacity820 lbs. (372 kg)
Maximum capacityPerson: 1,495 lbs. (678 kg) Total: 2,097 lbs. (951 kg)
Maximum people4 / 495 lbs. (225 kg)
Maximum people11
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