Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Princecraft Platinum SP 186 SE 2005 vs Princecraft Super Pro 198 2009: Same Brand, Different Boat
The Princecraft Platinum SP 186 SE 2005 vs Princecraft Super Pro 198 2009 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 Super Pro 198 2009 at 19,4 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Princecraft Super Pro 198 2009 tips the scales at 1 560 lbs - 161 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 power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 200 hp, the Princecraft Super Pro 198 2009 has a 25-hp advantage over the Princecraft Platinum SP 186 SE 2005's 175-hp ceiling - enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Both carry nearly identical fuel loads - 60 gal and 60 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 Super Pro 198 2009 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 Super Pro 198 2009 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
ModelSuper Pro 198
Model Year2005
Model Year2009
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. (1.0 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 - Detail1,560 lbs. (708 kg)
Weight - kg634.58
Weight - kg707.6
Weight - lbs.1399
Weight - lbs.1560
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 - Inches220
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 typeModified 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 - Gal60
Fuel tank capacity - Gal60
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeOutboard
Engine max175 hp (131 kw)
Engine max200 hp (149 kW)
Fuel typenot available
Fuel typeGas
Operational Info
Maximum capacity1,784 lbs. (809 kg)
Maximum capacityPerson: 906 lbs. (411 kg) Total: 1,650 lbs. (748 kg)
Maximum people8
Maximum people7