Princecraft Holiday DLX BT 2005 boat specs
Princecraft
Princecraft Holiday DLX BT 2005
2005
View full specs →
VS
Princecraft Tournament SP 178 SC 2005 boat specs
Princecraft
Princecraft Tournament SP 178 SC 2005
2005
View full specs →

Princecraft Holiday DLX BT 2005 vs Princecraft Tournament SP 178 SC 2005 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Princecraft Holiday DLX BT 2005 vs Princecraft Tournament SP 178 SC 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.

On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Princecraft Holiday DLX BT 2005 at 16,0 ft versus Princecraft Tournament SP 178 SC 2005 at 17,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Princecraft Tournament SP 178 SC 2005 tips the scales at 1 159 lbs — 574 lbs less than the Princecraft Holiday DLX BT 2005 at 585 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 150 hp, the Princecraft Tournament SP 178 SC 2005 has a 100-hp advantage over the Princecraft Holiday DLX BT 2005's 50-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load.

Both boats are rated for 6 passengers — a good fit for a family of four or five plus guests. Comfort at capacity is another matter; the longer hull typically means more seat options and better weight distribution.

At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Princecraft Tournament SP 178 SC 2005 comes in at 8 lbs per hp versus 12 lbs per hp for the Princecraft Holiday DLX BT 2005. 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: Performance buyers should lean toward the Princecraft Tournament SP 178 SC 2005 and its 150-hp ceiling. If fuel economy and quieter running matter more than top-end speed, the Princecraft Holiday DLX BT 2005 with its 50-hp rating is the more economical daily driver.
General Boat Info
MakePrincecraft
MakePrincecraft
ModelHoliday DLX BT
ModelTournament SP 178 SC
Model Year2005
Model Year2005
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam82 in. (2.1 m)
Beam92 in. (2.3 m)
Beam - Meters2.08
Beam - Meters2.34
Beam - Inches82
Beam - Inches92
Depth - Detail30 in. (0.8 m)
Depth - Detail40 in. (1.0 m)
Depth - Centimeters76.2
Depth - Centimeters101.6
Depth - Inches3
Depth - Inches4
Draft [max] - Detail24 in. (0.6 m)
Draft [max] - Detail31 in. (0.8 m)
Draft [max] - Meters0.61
Draft [max] - Meters0.79
Draft [max] - Inches24
Draft [max] - Inches31
Weight - Detail585 lbs. (265 kg)
Weight - Detail1,159 lbs. (526 kg)
Weight - kg265.35
Weight - kg525.71
Weight - lbs.585
Weight - lbs.1159
Width [transom] - Detail69 in. (1.8 m)
Width [transom] - Detail75 in. (1.9 m)
Height [transom]20 in. (0.5 m)
Height [transom]20 in. (0.5 m)
Length - Meters5
Length - Meters5.3
Length - Feet16
Length - Feet17
Length - Inches4
Length - Inches5
Length overall - Detail16 ft. 4 in. (5.0 m)
Length overall - Detail17 ft. 5 in. (5.3 m)
Length overall - Meters4.98
Length overall - Meters5.31
Length overall - Inches196
Length overall - Inches209
Body / Hull
Hull thicknessBottom: .090 in. (2.3 mm) Side: .072 in. (1.8 mm)
Hull thicknessBottom: .100 in. (2.5 mm) Side: .072 in. (1.8 mm)
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - DetailPortable
Fuel tank capacity - Detail35 gal. Built-in (132 l)
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeOutboard
Engine max50 hp (37 kw)
Engine max150 hp (112 kw)
Fuel tank capacity - Litersnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Liters132.49
Fuel tank capacity - Galnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Gal35
Operational Info
Maximum capacity1,345 lbs. (610 kg)
Maximum capacity1,488 lbs. (675 kg)
Maximum people6
Maximum people6

Princecraft Holiday DLX BT 2005 vs Princecraft Tournament SP 178 SC 2005 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Princecraft Holiday DLX BT 2005 or the Princecraft Tournament SP 178 SC 2005?
The Princecraft Tournament SP 178 SC 2005 is the longer of the two at 17,0 feet overall. The Princecraft Holiday DLX BT 2005 comes in at 16,0 feet, making it roughly 1,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.
Which is easier to trailer — the Princecraft Holiday DLX BT 2005 or the Princecraft Tournament SP 178 SC 2005?
For trailering, the Princecraft Holiday DLX BT 2005 has the edge at 585 lbs dry weight versus 1 159 lbs for the Princecraft Tournament SP 178 SC 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.
Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?
The Princecraft Tournament SP 178 SC 2005 is rated to a maximum of 150 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Princecraft Holiday DLX BT 2005 tops out at 50 hp. Keep in mind that maximum ratings are just that — matching the motor to the actual load and usage pattern usually matters more than chasing the ceiling.
How many people can each boat hold?
The Princecraft Holiday DLX BT 2005 is Coast Guard rated for 6 passengers, while the Princecraft Tournament SP 178 SC 2005 is certified for 6. 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 has the better power-to-weight ratio?
The Princecraft Tournament SP 178 SC 2005 has a better power-to-weight ratio at 8 lbs per hp compared to 12 lbs per hp for the Princecraft Holiday DLX BT 2005. A lower number means quicker acceleration and faster time to plane — the number that actually matters most on short, sporty boats like these.
Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?
The Princecraft Tournament SP 178 SC 2005 measures 92" wide, compared to 82" for the Princecraft Holiday DLX BT 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 Holiday DLX BT 2005 and Princecraft Tournament SP 178 SC 2005 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Princecraft Holiday DLX BT 2005 and the Princecraft Tournament SP 178 SC 2005 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.