Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Princecraft Platinum SP 186 SE 2005 vs Princecraft Tournament SP 178 DLX AE 2004 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The Princecraft Platinum SP 186 SE 2005 vs Princecraft Tournament SP 178 DLX AE 2004 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 SE 2005 has a 25-hp advantage over the Princecraft Tournament SP 178 DLX AE 2004's 150-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 Tournament SP 178 DLX AE 2004 carries 35 gallons versus 6 gallons in the Princecraft Platinum SP 186 SE 2005. 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 SP 186 SE 2005 is rated for 8 passengers, while the Princecraft Tournament SP 178 DLX AE 2004 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 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 Tournament SP 178 DLX AE 2004 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 6 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
MakePrincecraft
MakePrincecraft
ModelPlatinum SP 186 SE
ModelTournament SP 178 DLX AE
Model Year2005
Model Year2004
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam94 in. (2.4 m)
Beam92 in
Beam - Meters2.39
Beam - Meters2.34
Beam - Inches94
Beam - Inches92
Depth - Detail43 in. (1.1 m)
Depth - Detailnot available
Depth - Centimeters109.22
Depth - Centimetersnot available
Depth - Inches43
Depth - Inchesnot available
Draft [max] - Detail31 in. (0.8 m)
Draft [max] - Detail31 in
Draft [max] - Meters0.79
Draft [max] - Meters0.79
Draft [max] - Inches31
Draft [max] - Inches31
Weight - Detail1,399 lbs. (635 kg)
Weight - Detail1168 lbs
Weight - kg634.58
Weight - kg529.8
Weight - lbs.1399
Weight - lbs.1168
Width [transom] - Detail76 in. (1.9 m)
Width [transom] - Detailnot available
Height [transom]20 in. (0.5 m)
Height [transom]20 in
Length - Meters5.6
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Feet18
Length - Feetnot available
Length - Inches4
Length - Inchesnot available
Length overall - Detail18 ft. 4 in. (5.6 m)
Length overall - Detail17 ft. 5 in
Length overall - Meters5.59
Length overall - Meters5.31
Length overall - Inches22
Length overall - Inches209
Height - Detailnot available
Height - Detail40 in
Height - Metersnot available
Height - Meters1.02
Height - Inchesnot available
Height - Inches4
Body / Hull
Hull thicknessBottom: .100 in. (2.5 mm) Side: .072 in. (1.8 mm)
Hull thicknessnot available
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail60 gal. Built-in (227 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail35 gal
Fuel tank capacity - Liters227.12
Fuel tank capacity - Liters132.49
Fuel tank capacity - Gal6
Fuel tank capacity - Gal35
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typenot available
Engine max175 hp (131 kw)
Engine max150 HP
Operational Info
Maximum capacity1,784 lbs. (809 kg)
Maximum capacity1455 lbs
Maximum people8
Maximum people6 Persons