Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Princecraft Platinum SP 186 AE 2004 vs Princecraft Pro Series 179 SC 2011 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The Princecraft Platinum SP 186 AE 2004 vs Princecraft Pro Series 179 SC 2011 comparison sits squarely in the category of decisions where specs alone won't tell the whole story — intended use, storage, and long-term ownership costs all factor in.
The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 175 hp, the Princecraft Platinum SP 186 AE 2004 has a 40-hp advantage over the Princecraft Pro Series 179 SC 2011'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 — 6 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 SP 186 AE 2004 is rated for 8 passengers, while the Princecraft Pro Series 179 SC 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 SP 186 AE 2004 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Princecraft Platinum SP 186 AE 2004 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 8 passengers and at 0,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Princecraft Pro Series 179 SC 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 SP 186 AE
ModelPro Series 179 SC
Model Year2004
Model Year2011
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam94 in
Beam92 in. (2.3 m)
Beam - Meters2.39
Beam - Meters2.34
Beam - Inches94
Beam - Inches92
Draft [max] - Detail31 in
Draft [max] - Detail31 in. (0.8 m)
Draft [max] - Meters0.79
Draft [max] - Meters0.79
Draft [max] - Inches31
Draft [max] - Inches31
Weight - Detail1399 lbs
Weight - Detail1,229 lbs. (557 kg)
Weight - kg634.58
Weight - kg557.46
Weight - lbs.1399
Weight - lbs.1229
Height - Detail43 in
Height - Detailnot available
Height - Meters1.09
Height - Metersnot available
Height - Inches43
Height - Inchesnot available
Height [transom]20 in
Height [transom]25 in. (0.6 m)
Length overall - Detail18 ft. 4 in
Length overall - Detail17 ft. 4 in. (5.3 m)
Length overall - Meters5.59
Length overall - Meters5.28
Length overall - Inches22
Length overall - Inches208
Depth - Detailnot available
Depth - Detail37 in. (0.9 m)
Depth - Centimetersnot available
Depth - Centimeters93.98
Depth - Inchesnot available
Depth - Inches37
Width [transom] - Detailnot available
Width [transom] - Detail80 in. (2 m)
Length - Feetnot available
Length - Feet17.33
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail60 gal
Fuel tank capacity - Detail40 gal. (151 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters227.12
Fuel tank capacity - Liters151.42
Fuel tank capacity - Gal6
Fuel tank capacity - Gal4
Engine max175 HP
Engine max135 hp (101 kW)
Fuel typenot available
Fuel typeGas
Drive typenot available
Drive typeOutboard
Operational Info
Maximum capacity1755 lbs
Maximum capacity1,410 lbs. (640 kg)
Maximum people8 Persons
Maximum people5 / 670 lbs. (304 kg)
Body / Hull
Hull materialnot available
Hull materialAluminum
Hull thicknessnot available
Hull thicknessBottom: 0.100 in. (2.5 mm) Side: 0.072 in. (1.8 mm)
Hull typenot available
Hull typeModified Vee