Princecraft Platinum SE 176 FnP 2013 vs Princecraft Tournament SP 178 DLX 2004 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Princecraft Platinum SE 176 FnP 2013 or the Princecraft Tournament SP 178 DLX 2004?

For trailering, the Princecraft Tournament SP 178 DLX 2004 has the edge at 1 159 lbs dry weight versus 1 331 lbs for the Princecraft Platinum SE 176 FnP 2013. 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.

Q: Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Princecraft Tournament SP 178 DLX 2004 is rated to a maximum of 150 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Princecraft Platinum SE 176 FnP 2013 tops out at 125 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.

Q: How many people can each boat hold?

The Princecraft Platinum SE 176 FnP 2013 is Coast Guard rated for 7 passengers, while the Princecraft Tournament SP 178 DLX 2004 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.

Q: Do these boats require an oversize trailer permit to tow on US highways?

Both the Princecraft Platinum SE 176 FnP 2013 and Princecraft Tournament SP 178 DLX 2004 share an 92 in. (2.3 m) beam — meaning both sit right at the 8’6" threshold that most US states use for standard-width loads. In most states you can tow at that width without a special permit, but regulations vary. Always check the rules for your state and any states you'll be passing through before your first long haul.

Q: Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Princecraft Platinum SE 176 FnP 2013 or the Princecraft Tournament SP 178 DLX 2004?

The Princecraft Tournament SP 178 DLX 2004 has the bigger tank at 35 gallons, versus 26 gallons on the Princecraft Platinum SE 176 FnP 2013. That 9-gallon difference translates to roughly 27–45 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Princecraft Platinum SE 176 FnP 2013 and Princecraft Tournament SP 178 DLX 2004 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Princecraft Platinum SE 176 FnP 2013 and the Princecraft Tournament SP 178 DLX 2004 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.

Boat Comparison

Princecraft Platinum SE 176 FnP 2013 vs Princecraft Tournament SP 178 DLX 2004

Princecraft

Princecraft Platinum SE 176 FnP 2013

2013

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Princecraft

Princecraft Tournament SP 178 DLX 2004

2004

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Princecraft Platinum SE 176 FnP 2013 vs Princecraft Tournament SP 178 DLX 2004 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Princecraft Platinum SE 176 FnP 2013 vs Princecraft Tournament SP 178 DLX 2004 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 150 hp, the Princecraft Tournament SP 178 DLX 2004 has a 25-hp advantage over the Princecraft Platinum SE 176 FnP 2013's 125-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Princecraft Tournament SP 178 DLX 2004 carries 35 gallons versus 26 gallons in the Princecraft Platinum SE 176 FnP 2013. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Princecraft Platinum SE 176 FnP 2013 is rated for 7 passengers, while the Princecraft Tournament SP 178 DLX 2004 caps at 6. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Princecraft Platinum SE 176 FnP 2013 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Princecraft Platinum SE 176 FnP 2013 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 7 passengers and at 17,4 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Princecraft Tournament SP 178 DLX 2004 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 6 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakePrincecraft

ModelPlatinum SE 176 FNP

ModelTournament SP 178 DLX

Model Year2013

Model Year2004

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam92 in. (2.3 m)

Beam92 in

Beam - Meters2.34

Beam - Inches92

Depth - Detail40 in. (1 m)

Depth - Detailnot available

Depth - Centimeters101.6

Depth - Centimetersnot available

Depth - Inches4

Depth - Inchesnot available

Draft [max] - Detail30 in. (0.8 m)

Draft [max] - Detail31 in

Draft [max] - Meters0.76

Draft [max] - Meters0.79

Draft [max] - Inches3

Draft [max] - Inches31

Weight - Detail1,331 lbs. (604 kg)

Weight - Detail1159 lbs

Weight - kg603.73

Weight - kg525.71

Weight - lbs.1331

Weight - lbs.1159

Width [transom] - Detail75 in. (1.9 m) chine

Width [transom] - Detailnot available

Height [transom]25 in. (0.6 m)

Height [transom]20 in

Length - Feet17.42

Length - Feetnot available

Length overall - Detail17 ft. 5 in. (5.3 m)

Length overall - Detail17 ft. 5 in

Length overall - Meters5.31

Length overall - Inches209

Height - Detailnot available

Height - Detail40 in

Height - Metersnot available

Height - Meters1.02

Height - Inchesnot available

Height - Inches4

Body / Hull

Hull materialAluminum

Hull materialnot available

Hull thickness0.10 in. (2.5 mm) bottom 0.072 in. (1.8 mm) side

Hull thicknessnot available

Hull typeDeep Vee

Hull typenot available

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail26 gal. (98 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail35 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Liters98.42

Fuel tank capacity - Liters132.49

Fuel tank capacity - Gal26

Fuel tank capacity - Gal35

Fuel typeGas

Fuel typenot available

Drive typeOutboard

Drive typenot available

Engine max125 hp (93 kW)

Engine max150 HP

Operational Info

Maximum capacity1,647 lbs. (747 kg)

Maximum capacity1455 lbs

Maximum people7 / 907 lbs. (411 kg)

Maximum people6 Persons

Princecraft Platinum SE 176 FnP 2013 vs Princecraft Tournament SP 178 DLX 2004 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Princecraft Platinum SE 176 FnP 2013 or the Princecraft Tournament SP 178 DLX 2004?

For trailering, the Princecraft Tournament SP 178 DLX 2004 has the edge at 1 159 lbs dry weight versus 1 331 lbs for the Princecraft Platinum SE 176 FnP 2013. 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 DLX 2004 is rated to a maximum of 150 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Princecraft Platinum SE 176 FnP 2013 tops out at 125 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 Platinum SE 176 FnP 2013 is Coast Guard rated for 7 passengers, while the Princecraft Tournament SP 178 DLX 2004 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.

Do these boats require an oversize trailer permit to tow on US highways?

Both the Princecraft Platinum SE 176 FnP 2013 and Princecraft Tournament SP 178 DLX 2004 share an 92 in. (2.3 m) beam — meaning both sit right at the 8’6" threshold that most US states use for standard-width loads. In most states you can tow at that width without a special permit, but regulations vary. Always check the rules for your state and any states you'll be passing through before your first long haul.

Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Princecraft Platinum SE 176 FnP 2013 or the Princecraft Tournament SP 178 DLX 2004?

The Princecraft Tournament SP 178 DLX 2004 has the bigger tank at 35 gallons, versus 26 gallons on the Princecraft Platinum SE 176 FnP 2013. That 9-gallon difference translates to roughly 27–45 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Princecraft Platinum SE 176 FnP 2013 and Princecraft Tournament SP 178 DLX 2004 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Princecraft Platinum SE 176 FnP 2013 and the Princecraft Tournament SP 178 DLX 2004 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.

← Princecraft Platinum SE 176 FnP 2013 full specs ← Princecraft Tournament SP 178 DLX 2004 full specs