Matching a deep vee Princecraft Holiday DLX SC 2012 against a modified vee Princecraft Pro 179 SC 2009 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 Holiday DLX SC 2012 at 16,2 ft versus Princecraft Pro 179 SC 2009 at 17,3 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Princecraft Pro 179 SC 2009 tips the scales at 1 129 lbs — 337 lbs less than the Princecraft Holiday DLX SC 2012 at 792 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 135 hp, the Princecraft Pro 179 SC 2009 has a 75-hp advantage over the Princecraft Holiday DLX SC 2012's 60-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Both carry nearly identical fuel loads — 2 gal and 4 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.

Both boats are rated for 5 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 Pro 179 SC 2009 comes in at 8 lbs per hp versus 13 lbs per hp for the Princecraft Holiday DLX SC 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.