The Princecraft Holiday DLX WS 2013 vs Princecraft Pro 179 DX BT 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 WS 2013 at 16,2 ft versus Princecraft Pro 179 DX BT 2005 at 17,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Princecraft Pro 179 DX BT 2005 tips the scales at 1 095 lbs — 261 lbs less than the Princecraft Holiday DLX WS 2013 at 834 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.
Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling — 75 hp for the Princecraft Holiday DLX WS 2013 and 75 hp for the Princecraft Pro 179 DX BT 2005. Real-world performance will come down more to which motor is actually bolted on, its load at the time, and whether it's a 4-stroke or 2-stroke setup. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Princecraft Pro 179 DX BT 2005 carries 35 gallons versus 2 gallons in the Princecraft Holiday DLX WS 2013. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.
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 Holiday DLX WS 2013 comes in at 11 lbs per hp versus 15 lbs per hp for the Princecraft Pro 179 DX 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: The Princecraft Holiday DLX WS 2013 and Princecraft Pro 179 DX BT 2005 are closely matched on the specs that matter most. Test-ride both on the water you actually use, check current dealer pricing, and factor in long-term service access before you sign.