Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Princecraft J1243 2004 vs Princecraft Xpedition 170 WS 2012 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The Princecraft J1243 2004 vs Princecraft Xpedition 170 WS 2012 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.
The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 115 hp, the Princecraft Xpedition 170 WS 2012 has a 110-hp advantage over the Princecraft J1243 2004's 5-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 Xpedition 170 WS 2012 is rated for 5 passengers, while the Princecraft J1243 2004 caps at 2. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Princecraft Xpedition 170 WS 2012 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Princecraft Xpedition 170 WS 2012 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 5 passengers and at 16,9 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Princecraft J1243 2004 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 2 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
MakePrincecraft
MakePrincecraft
ModelJ1243
ModelXpedition 170 WS
Model Year2004
Model Year2012
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam43 in
Beam91 in. (2.3 m)
Beam - Meters1.09
Beam - Meters2.31
Beam - Inches43
Beam - Inches91
Weight - Detail112 lbs
Weight - Detail1,121 lbs. (508 kg)
Weight - kg50.8
Weight - kg508.48
Weight - lbs.112
Weight - lbs.1121
Height [transom]20 in
Height [transom]20 in. (0.5 m)
Length overall - Detail12 ft
Length overall - Detail16 ft. 11 in. (5.2 m)
Length overall - Meters3.66
Length overall - Meters5.16
Length overall - Inches144
Length overall - Inches203
Depth - Detailnot available
Depth - Detail35 in. (0.9 m)
Depth - Centimetersnot available
Depth - Centimeters88.9
Depth - Inchesnot available
Depth - Inches35
Draft [max] - Detailnot available
Draft [max] - Detail31 in. (0.8 m)
Draft [max] - Metersnot available
Draft [max] - Meters0.79
Draft [max] - Inchesnot available
Draft [max] - Inches31
Width [transom] - Detailnot available
Width [transom] - Detail78 in. (2 m)
Length - Feetnot available
Length - Feet16.92
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine max5 HP
Engine maxnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Detail20 gal. (77 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Litersnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Liters75.71
Fuel tank capacity - Galnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Gal2
Fuel typenot available
Fuel typeGas
Drive typenot available
Drive typeOutboard
Horsepowernot available
Horsepower115 hp (86 kW)
Operational Info
Maximum capacity410 lbs
Maximum capacity1,415 lbs. (642 kg)
Maximum people2 Persons
Maximum people5 / 675 lbs. (306 kg)
Body / Hull
Hull materialnot available
Hull materialAluminum
Hull thicknessnot available
Hull thicknessBottom: 0.100 in. (2.5 mm) Side: 0.072 in. (1.8 mm)
Hull typenot available
Hull typeDeep Vee