Matching a deep vee Princecraft Platinum SE 186 2012 against a pontoon Princecraft Vantage 20 L 2007 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.

Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Princecraft Platinum SE 186 2012 measures 18,5 feet overall (2012), giving it roughly 16,5 additional feet of deck space compared to the Princecraft Vantage 20 L 2007 at 2,0 feet (2007). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Princecraft Vantage 20 L 2007 tips the scales at 1 775 lbs — 230 lbs less than the Princecraft Platinum SE 186 2012 at 1 545 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 85-hp advantage over the Princecraft Vantage 20 L 2007's 90-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 Vantage 20 L 2007 carries 33 gallons versus 4 gallons in the Princecraft Platinum SE 186 2012. 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 2012 is rated for 8 passengers, while the Princecraft Vantage 20 L 2007 caps at 1. 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.