Both the Princecraft Platinum SE 206 2011 and the Princecraft Pro 179 SC 2009 are modified-V designs, both built in aluminium, so the buying decision usually comes down to a handful of practical questions: how many people are you putting on the water, how far do you trailer, and what does your tow vehicle weigh?

On paper these two are close siblings in the size department - Princecraft Platinum SE 206 2011 at 20,0 ft versus Princecraft Pro 179 SC 2009 at 17,3 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Princecraft Platinum SE 206 2011 tips the scales at 1 840 lbs - 711 lbs more than the Princecraft Pro 179 SC 2009 at 1 129 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 225 hp, the Princecraft Platinum SE 206 2011 has a 90-hp advantage over the Princecraft Pro 179 SC 2009'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 206 2011 carries 60 gallons versus 40 gallons in the Princecraft Pro 179 SC 2009. 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 206 2011 is rated for 10 passengers, while the Princecraft Pro 179 SC 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 206 2011 could be the deciding factor.