Princecraft Platinum SP 186 2004 vs Princecraft Sportfisher 20 LP4S 2007 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer - the Princecraft Platinum SP 186 2004 or the Princecraft Sportfisher 20 LP4S 2007?

For trailering, the Princecraft Platinum SP 186 2004 has the edge at 1 385 lbs dry weight versus 1 600 lbs for the Princecraft Sportfisher 20 LP4S 2007. Add a motor (typically 300–500 lbs for an outboard in this class), gear, and a partial fuel load and the difference grows. Lighter is friendlier on smaller tow vehicles and on fuel economy while hauling.

Q: Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Princecraft Platinum SP 186 2004 is rated to a maximum of 175 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Princecraft Sportfisher 20 LP4S 2007 tops out at 90 hp. Keep in mind that maximum ratings are just that - matching the motor to the actual load and usage pattern usually matters more than chasing the ceiling.

Q: How many people can each boat hold?

The Princecraft Platinum SP 186 2004 is Coast Guard rated for 8 passengers, while the Princecraft Sportfisher 20 LP4S 2007 is certified for 9. Note that legal capacity and comfortable capacity aren't always the same thing - on a full day out, most experienced boaters aim for about 80% of the rated number to keep things comfortable.

Q: Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Princecraft Sportfisher 20 LP4S 2007 measures 102" wide, compared to 94" for the Princecraft Platinum SP 186 2004. The US standard-width towing limit is 8’6" (102") in most states - anything over that may need a wide-load permit. Confirm your specific route requirements with each state's DOT.

Q: Which boat has the larger fuel tank - the Princecraft Platinum SP 186 2004 or the Princecraft Sportfisher 20 LP4S 2007?

The Princecraft Platinum SP 186 2004 has the bigger tank at 60 gallons, versus 33 gallons on the Princecraft Sportfisher 20 LP4S 2007. That 27-gallon difference translates to roughly 81–135 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Princecraft Platinum SP 186 2004 and Princecraft Sportfisher 20 LP4S 2007 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the Princecraft Platinum SP 186 2004 and the Princecraft Sportfisher 20 LP4S 2007 are built by Princecraft. That means shared dealer networks, common parts availability, and consistent build quality across the line. The choice between them is essentially a question of how much boat you need, not which brand you trust.

Boat Comparison

Princecraft Platinum SP 186 2004 vs Princecraft Sportfisher 20 LP4S 2007

Princecraft

Princecraft Platinum SP 186 2004

2004

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Princecraft

Princecraft Sportfisher 20 LP4S 2007

2007

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Princecraft Platinum SP 186 2004 vs Princecraft Sportfisher 20 LP4S 2007: Same Brand, Different Boat

The Princecraft Platinum SP 186 2004 vs Princecraft Sportfisher 20 LP4S 2007 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 2004 has a 85-hp advantage over the Princecraft Sportfisher 20 LP4S 2007's 90-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 SP 186 2004 carries 60 gallons versus 33 gallons in the Princecraft Sportfisher 20 LP4S 2007. 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 Sportfisher 20 LP4S 2007 is rated for 9 passengers, while the Princecraft Platinum SP 186 2004 caps at 8. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Princecraft Sportfisher 20 LP4S 2007 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Princecraft Sportfisher 20 LP4S 2007 if your priority is putting more people on the water - it handles 9 passengers and at 20,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Princecraft Platinum SP 186 2004 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 8 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakePrincecraft

ModelPlatinum SP 186

ModelSportfisher 20 LP4S

Model Year2004

Model Year2007

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam94 in.

Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.6 m)

Beam - Meters2.39

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Inches94

Beam - Inches102

Draft [max] - Detail31 in.

Draft [max] - Detailnot available

Draft [max] - Meters0.79

Draft [max] - Metersnot available

Draft [max] - Inches31

Draft [max] - Inchesnot available

Weight - Detail1385 lbs.

Weight - Detail1,600 lbs. (726 kg)

Weight - kg628.22

Weight - kg725.75

Weight - lbs.1385

Weight - lbs.1600

Height - Detail43 in.

Height - Detailnot available

Height - Meters1.09

Height - Metersnot available

Height - Inches43

Height - Inchesnot available

Height [transom]20 in.

Height [transom]not available

Length overall - Detail18 ft. 4 in.

Length overall - Detail20 ft. 6 in. (6.2 m)

Length overall - Meters5.59

Length overall - Meters6.25

Length overall - Inches220

Length overall - Inches246

Length [deck]not available

Length [deck]20 ft. 0 in. (6.1 m)

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Meters6.2

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Feet20

Length - Inchesnot available

Length - Inches6

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail60 gal.

Fuel tank capacity - Detail33 gal. (125 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters227.12

Fuel tank capacity - Liters124.92

Fuel tank capacity - Gal60

Fuel tank capacity - Gal33

Engine max175 HP

Engine max90 hp (67 kW)

Fuel typenot available

Fuel typeGas

Drive typenot available

Drive typeOutboard

Operational Info

Maximum capacity1755 lbs.

Maximum capacityPerson: 1,495 lbs. (678 kg) Total: 2,097 lbs. (951 kg)

Maximum people8 Persons

Maximum people9

Body / Hull

Hull materialnot available

Hull materialAluminum

Hull typenot available

Hull typePontoon

Pontoon and Inflatable Specific

Tube diameternot available

Tube diameter25 in. (0.64 m)

Tube gaugenot available

Tube gauge0.080 in. (2 mm)

Number of tubesnot available

Number of tubes2

Princecraft Platinum SP 186 2004 vs Princecraft Sportfisher 20 LP4S 2007 - Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer - the Princecraft Platinum SP 186 2004 or the Princecraft Sportfisher 20 LP4S 2007?

For trailering, the Princecraft Platinum SP 186 2004 has the edge at 1 385 lbs dry weight versus 1 600 lbs for the Princecraft Sportfisher 20 LP4S 2007. Add a motor (typically 300–500 lbs for an outboard in this class), gear, and a partial fuel load and the difference grows. Lighter is friendlier on smaller tow vehicles and on fuel economy while hauling.

Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Princecraft Platinum SP 186 2004 is rated to a maximum of 175 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Princecraft Sportfisher 20 LP4S 2007 tops out at 90 hp. Keep in mind that maximum ratings are just that - matching the motor to the actual load and usage pattern usually matters more than chasing the ceiling.

How many people can each boat hold?

The Princecraft Platinum SP 186 2004 is Coast Guard rated for 8 passengers, while the Princecraft Sportfisher 20 LP4S 2007 is certified for 9. Note that legal capacity and comfortable capacity aren't always the same thing - on a full day out, most experienced boaters aim for about 80% of the rated number to keep things comfortable.

Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Princecraft Sportfisher 20 LP4S 2007 measures 102" wide, compared to 94" for the Princecraft Platinum SP 186 2004. The US standard-width towing limit is 8’6" (102") in most states - anything over that may need a wide-load permit. Confirm your specific route requirements with each state's DOT.

Which boat has the larger fuel tank - the Princecraft Platinum SP 186 2004 or the Princecraft Sportfisher 20 LP4S 2007?

The Princecraft Platinum SP 186 2004 has the bigger tank at 60 gallons, versus 33 gallons on the Princecraft Sportfisher 20 LP4S 2007. That 27-gallon difference translates to roughly 81–135 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Princecraft Platinum SP 186 2004 and Princecraft Sportfisher 20 LP4S 2007 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the Princecraft Platinum SP 186 2004 and the Princecraft Sportfisher 20 LP4S 2007 are built by Princecraft. That means shared dealer networks, common parts availability, and consistent build quality across the line. The choice between them is essentially a question of how much boat you need, not which brand you trust.

← Princecraft Platinum SP 186 2004 full specs ← Princecraft Sportfisher 20 LP4S 2007 full specs