Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Princecraft Platinum SE 186 2011 vs Princecraft Pro 174 SS 2004: Same Brand, Different Boat
The Princecraft Platinum SE 186 2011 vs Princecraft Pro 174 SS 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 175 hp, the Princecraft Platinum SE 186 2011 has a 40-hp advantage over the Princecraft Pro 174 SS 2004's 135-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 Platinum SE 186 2011 carries 40 gallons versus 35 gallons in the Princecraft Pro 174 SS 2004. 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 186 2011 is rated for 8 passengers, while the Princecraft Pro 174 SS 2004 caps at 7. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Princecraft Platinum SE 186 2011 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Princecraft Platinum SE 186 2011 if your priority is putting more people on the water - it handles 8 passengers and at 18,5 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Princecraft Pro 174 SS 2004 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 7 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
MakePrincecraft
MakePrincecraft
ModelPlatinum SE 186
ModelPro 174 SS
Model Year2011
Model Year2004
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam95 in. (2.4 m)
Beam92 in.
Beam - Meters2.41
Beam - Meters2.34
Beam - Inches95
Beam - Inches92
Depth - Detail46 in. (1.2 m)
Depth - Detailnot available
Depth - Centimeters116.84
Depth - Centimetersnot available
Depth - Inches46
Depth - Inchesnot available
Draft [max] - Detail33 in. (0.8 m)
Draft [max] - Detail30 in.
Draft [max] - Meters0.84
Draft [max] - Meters0.76
Draft [max] - Inches33
Draft [max] - Inches30
Weight - Detail1,545 lbs. (701 kg)
Weight - Detail1238 lbs.
Weight - kg700.8
Weight - kg561.55
Weight - lbs.1545
Weight - lbs.1238
Width [transom] - Detail80 in. (2.0 m)
Width [transom] - Detailnot available
Height [transom]25 in. (0.6 m)
Height [transom]20 in.
Length - Feet18.5
Length - Feetnot available
Length overall - Detail18 ft. 6 in. (5.6 m)
Length overall - Detail17 ft. 5 in.
Length overall - Meters5.64
Length overall - Meters5.31
Length overall - Inches222
Length overall - Inches209
Height - Detailnot available
Height - Detail40 in.
Height - Metersnot available
Height - Meters1.02
Height - Inchesnot available
Height - Inches40
Body / Hull
Hull materialAluminum
Hull materialnot available
Hull thicknessBottom: 0.110 in. (2.8 mm) Side: 0.072 in. (1.8 mm)
Hull thicknessnot available
Hull typeModified Vee
Hull typenot available
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail40 gal. (151 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail35 gal.
Fuel tank capacity - Liters151.42
Fuel tank capacity - Liters132.49
Fuel tank capacity - Gal40
Fuel tank capacity - Gal35
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typenot available
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typenot available
Engine max175 hp (131 kW)
Engine max135 HP
Operational Info
Maximum capacity1,902 lbs. (863 kg)
Maximum capacity1590 lbs.
Maximum people8 / 1,158 lbs. (525 kg)
Maximum people7 Persons