Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Princecraft Platinum SP 186 SE 2005 vs Princecraft Pro Series 198 SC 2012 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The Princecraft Platinum SP 186 SE 2005 vs Princecraft Pro Series 198 SC 2012 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.
On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Princecraft Platinum SP 186 SE 2005 at 18,0 ft versus Princecraft Pro Series 198 SC 2012 at 19,4 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Princecraft Pro Series 198 SC 2012 tips the scales at 1 566 lbs — 167 lbs less than the Princecraft Platinum SP 186 SE 2005 at 1 399 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 Princecraft Platinum SP 186 SE 2005 carries a rated maximum of 175 hp. Engine data for the Princecraft Pro Series 198 SC 2012 wasn't available in our records — check the manufacturer's spec sheet before sizing a motor.Both carry nearly identical fuel loads — 6 gal and 6 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 SE 2005 is rated for 8 passengers, while the Princecraft Pro Series 198 SC 2012 caps at 7. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Princecraft Platinum SP 186 SE 2005 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Princecraft Platinum SP 186 SE 2005 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 8 passengers and at 18,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Princecraft Pro Series 198 SC 2012 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 7 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
MakePrincecraft
MakePrincecraft
ModelPlatinum SP 186 SE
ModelPro Series 198 SC
Model Year2005
Model Year2012
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam94 in. (2.4 m)
Beam97 in. (2.5 m)
Beam - Meters2.39
Beam - Meters2.46
Beam - Inches94
Beam - Inches97
Depth - Detail43 in. (1.1 m)
Depth - Detail38 in. (1 m)
Depth - Centimeters109.22
Depth - Centimeters96.52
Depth - Inches43
Depth - Inches38
Draft [max] - Detail31 in. (0.8 m)
Draft [max] - Detail31 in. (0.8 m)
Draft [max] - Meters0.79
Draft [max] - Meters0.79
Draft [max] - Inches31
Draft [max] - Inches31
Weight - Detail1,399 lbs. (635 kg)
Weight - Detail1,566 lbs. (710 kg)
Weight - kg634.58
Weight - kg710.33
Weight - lbs.1399
Weight - lbs.1566
Width [transom] - Detail76 in. (1.9 m)
Width [transom] - Detail84 in. (2.1 m)
Height [transom]20 in. (0.5 m)
Height [transom]25 in. (0.6 m)
Length - Meters5.6
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Feet18
Length - Feet19.42
Length - Inches4
Length - Inchesnot available
Length overall - Detail18 ft. 4 in. (5.6 m)
Length overall - Detail19 ft. 5 in. (5.9 m)
Length overall - Meters5.59
Length overall - Meters5.92
Length overall - Inches22
Length overall - Inches233
Body / Hull
Hull thicknessBottom: .100 in. (2.5 mm) Side: .072 in. (1.8 mm)
Hull thicknessBottom: 0.110 in. (2.8 mm) Side: 0.072 in. (1.8 mm)
Hull materialnot available
Hull materialAluminum
Hull typenot available
Hull typeDeep Vee
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail60 gal. Built-in (227 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail60 gal. (227 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters227.12
Fuel tank capacity - Liters227.12
Fuel tank capacity - Gal6
Fuel tank capacity - Gal6
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeOutboard
Engine max175 hp (131 kw)
Engine maxnot available
Fuel typenot available
Fuel typeGas
Operational Info
Maximum capacity1,784 lbs. (809 kg)
Maximum capacity1,650 lbs. (748 kg)
Maximum people8
Maximum people7 / 906 lbs. (411 kg)