Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Princecraft Platinum SE 186 2012 vs Princecraft Starfish 15 2011: Same Brand, Different Boat
The Princecraft Platinum SE 186 2012 is a deep-V design and the Princecraft Starfish 15 2011 is a modified-V design, so you're likely deciding between two noticeably 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 2012 at 18,5 ft versus Princecraft Starfish 15 2011 at 16,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Princecraft Platinum SE 186 2012 tips the scales at 1 545 lbs - 1 241 lbs more than the Princecraft Starfish 15 2011 at 304 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 2012 has a 135-hp advantage over the Princecraft Starfish 15 2011's 40-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 2012 is rated for 8 passengers, while the Princecraft Starfish 15 2011 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 2012 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Princecraft Platinum SE 186 2012 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 Starfish 15 2011 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
ModelStarfish 15
Model Year2012
Model Year2011
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam95 in. (2.4 m)
Beam73 in. (1.9 m)
Beam - Meters2.41
Beam - Meters1.85
Beam - Inches95
Beam - Inches73
Depth - Detail46 in. (1.2 m)
Depth - Detail29 in. (0.7 m)
Depth - Centimeters116.84
Depth - Centimeters73.66
Depth - Inches46
Depth - Inches29
Draft [max] - Detail33 in. (0.8 m)
Draft [max] - Detail17 in. (0.4 m)
Draft [max] - Meters0.84
Draft [max] - Meters0.43
Draft [max] - Inches33
Draft [max] - Inches17
Weight - Detail1,545 lbs. (701 kg)
Weight - Detail304 lbs. (138 kg)
Weight - kg700.8
Weight - kg137.89
Weight - lbs.1545
Weight - lbs.304
Width [transom] - Detail80 in. (2 m)
Width [transom] - Detail63 in. (1.6 m)
Height [transom]25 in. (0.6 m)
Height [transom]15 in. (0.4 m)
Length - Feet18.5
Length - Feet16
Length overall - Detail18 ft. 6 in. (5.6 m)
Length overall - Detail16 ft. 0 in. (4.9 m)
Length overall - Meters5.64
Length overall - Meters4.88
Length overall - Inches222
Length overall - Inches192
Body / Hull
Hull materialAluminum
Hull materialAluminum
Hull thicknessBottom: 0.110 in. (2.8 mm) Side: 0.072 in. (1.8 mm)
Hull thicknessBottom: 0.072 in. (1.8 mm) Side: 0.064 in. (1.6 m)
Hull typeDeep Vee
Hull typeModified Vee
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 - Gal40
Fuel tank capacity - Galnot available
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeOutboard
Engine max175 hp (131 kW)
Engine max40 hp (30 kW)
Operational Info
Maximum capacity1,902 lbs. (863 kg)
Maximum capacity1,100 lbs. (499 kg)
Maximum people8 / 1,158 lbs. (525 kg)
Maximum people5 /682 lbs. (309 kg)