When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Princecraft Platinum SE 207 2011 and the Princecraft SS 164 2009 are modified vee designs with aluminum construction — 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?
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Princecraft SS 164 2009 measures 16,5 feet overall (2009), giving it roughly 14,5 additional feet of deck space compared to the Princecraft Platinum SE 207 2011 at 2,0 feet (2011). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Princecraft SS 164 2009 tips the scales at 1 008 lbs — 823 lbs less than the Princecraft Platinum SE 207 2011 at 185 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 207 2011 has a 150-hp advantage over the Princecraft SS 164 2009's 75-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 207 2011 carries 6 gallons versus 2 gallons in the Princecraft SS 164 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 207 2011 is rated for 10 passengers, while the Princecraft SS 164 2009 caps at 6. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Princecraft Platinum SE 207 2011 could be the deciding factor.
At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Princecraft Platinum SE 207 2011 comes in at 1 lbs per hp versus 13 lbs per hp for the Princecraft SS 164 2009. The lower the ratio the more explosive the acceleration — meaningful on a short RIB where bursts of speed, quick planing, and agility in surf or tight waterways define the experience.
Bottom line: Choose the Princecraft Platinum SE 207 2011 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 10 passengers and at 2,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Princecraft SS 164 2009 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 6 that costs less to run day-to-day.