Matching a deep vee Princecraft Platinum SE 186 2013 against a modified vee Princecraft Pro Series 179 WS 2010 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 2013 at 18,5 ft versus Princecraft Pro Series 179 WS 2010 at 17,3 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Princecraft Platinum SE 186 2013 tips the scales at 1 545 lbs — 246 lbs more than the Princecraft Pro Series 179 WS 2010 at 1 299 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 2013 has a 40-hp advantage over the Princecraft Pro Series 179 WS 2010's 135-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Both carry nearly identical fuel loads — 4 gal and 4 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Princecraft Platinum SE 186 2013 is rated for 8 passengers, while the Princecraft Pro Series 179 WS 2010 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 2013 could be the deciding factor.