Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Princecraft Platinum SE 186 2011 vs Princecraft PW 1655T 2009 — Same Brand, Different Boat
Matching a modified vee Princecraft Platinum SE 186 2011 against a flat Princecraft PW 1655T 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 Platinum SE 186 2011 at 18,5 ft versus Princecraft PW 1655T 2009 at 16,4 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Princecraft Platinum SE 186 2011 tips the scales at 1 545 lbs — 887 lbs more than the Princecraft PW 1655T 2009 at 658 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 175 hp, the Princecraft Platinum SE 186 2011 has a 125-hp advantage over the Princecraft PW 1655T 2009's 50-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 Platinum SE 186 2011 is rated for 8 passengers, while the Princecraft PW 1655T 2009 caps at 5. 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 PW 1655T 2009 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 5 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
MakePrincecraft
MakePrincecraft
ModelPlatinum SE 186
ModelPW 1655T
Model Year2011
Model Year2009
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam95 in. (2.4 m)
Beam79 in. (2.01 m)
Beam - Meters2.41
Beam - Meters2.01
Beam - Inches95
Beam - Inches79
Depth - Detail46 in. (1.2 m)
Depth - Detail25 in. (0.64 m)
Depth - Centimeters116.84
Depth - Centimeters63.5
Depth - Inches46
Depth - Inches25
Draft [max] - Detail33 in. (0.8 m)
Draft [max] - Detailnot available
Draft [max] - Meters0.84
Draft [max] - Metersnot available
Draft [max] - Inches33
Draft [max] - Inchesnot available
Weight - Detail1,545 lbs. (701 kg)
Weight - Detail658 lbs. (298 kg)
Weight - kg700.8
Weight - kg298.46
Weight - lbs.1545
Weight - lbs.658
Width [transom] - Detail80 in. (2.0 m)
Width [transom] - Detail55 in. (1.4 m)
Height [transom]25 in. (0.6 m)
Height [transom]20 in. (0.51 m)
Length - Feet18.5
Length - Feet16.42
Length overall - Detail18 ft. 6 in. (5.6 m)
Length overall - Detail16 ft. 5 in. (5 m)
Length overall - Meters5.64
Length overall - Meters5
Length overall - Inches222
Length overall - Inches197
Body / Hull
Hull materialAluminum
Hull materialAluminum
Hull thicknessBottom: 0.110 in. (2.8 mm) Side: 0.072 in. (1.8 mm)
Hull thickness0.100 in. (2.5 mm)
Hull typeModified Vee
Hull typeFlat
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail40 gal. (151 l)
Fuel tank capacity - DetailPortable
Fuel tank capacity - Liters151.42
Fuel tank capacity - Litersnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Gal4
Fuel tank capacity - Galnot available
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeOutboard
Engine max175 hp (131 kW)
Engine max50 hp (37 kW)
Operational Info
Maximum capacity1,902 lbs. (863 kg)
Maximum capacityPerson: 750 lbs. (340 kg) Total: 1,360 lbs. (617 kg)
Maximum people8 / 1,158 lbs. (525 kg)
Maximum people5