Princecraft Platinum SP 196 I/O SE 2005 vs Princecraft PR1236 2006 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Princecraft Platinum SP 196 I/O SE 2005 or the Princecraft PR1236 2006?

The Princecraft Platinum SP 196 I/O SE 2005 is the longer of the two at 19,0 feet overall. The Princecraft PR1236 2006 comes in at 11,0 feet, making it roughly 8,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Princecraft Platinum SP 196 I/O SE 2005 or the Princecraft PR1236 2006?

For trailering, the Princecraft PR1236 2006 has the edge at 14 lbs dry weight versus 2 443 lbs for the Princecraft Platinum SP 196 I/O SE 2005. 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: What is the maximum horsepower rating for these boats?

The Princecraft Platinum SP 196 I/O SE 2005 has a documented max rating of 220 hp. Engine specifications for the Princecraft PR1236 2006 were not available in our database — check the OEM spec sheet or manufacturer's website for confirmation.

Q: How many people can each boat hold?

The Princecraft Platinum SP 196 I/O SE 2005 is Coast Guard rated for 9 passengers, while the Princecraft PR1236 2006 is certified for 3. 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 Platinum SP 196 I/O SE 2005 measures 96" wide, compared to 56" for the Princecraft PR1236 2006. 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: Are the Princecraft Platinum SP 196 I/O SE 2005 and Princecraft PR1236 2006 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Princecraft Platinum SP 196 I/O SE 2005 and the Princecraft PR1236 2006 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 196 I/O SE 2005 vs Princecraft PR1236 2006

Princecraft

Princecraft Platinum SP 196 I/O SE 2005

2005

View full specs →

Princecraft

Princecraft PR1236 2006

2006

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Princecraft Platinum SP 196 I/O SE 2005 vs Princecraft PR1236 2006 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Princecraft Platinum SP 196 I/O SE 2005 vs Princecraft PR1236 2006 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.

Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Princecraft Platinum SP 196 I/O SE 2005 measures 19,0 feet overall (2005), giving it roughly 8,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Princecraft PR1236 2006 at 11,0 feet (2006). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Princecraft Platinum SP 196 I/O SE 2005 tips the scales at 2 443 lbs — 2 429 lbs more than the Princecraft PR1236 2006 at 14 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 196 I/O SE 2005 carries a rated maximum of 220 hp. Engine data for the Princecraft PR1236 2006 wasn't available in our records — check the manufacturer's spec sheet before sizing a motor.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Princecraft Platinum SP 196 I/O SE 2005 is rated for 9 passengers, while the Princecraft PR1236 2006 caps at 3. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Princecraft Platinum SP 196 I/O SE 2005 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Princecraft Platinum SP 196 I/O SE 2005 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 9 passengers and at 19,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Princecraft PR1236 2006 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 3 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakePrincecraft

ModelPlatinum SP 196 I/O SE

ModelPR1236

Model Year2005

Model Year2006

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam96 in. (2.4 m)

Beam56 in. (1.4 m)

Beam - Meters2.44

Beam - Meters1.42

Beam - Inches96

Beam - Inches56

Depth - Detail47.5 in. (1.2 m)

Depth - Detailnot available

Depth - Centimeters121.92

Depth - Centimetersnot available

Depth - Inches47.5

Depth - Inchesnot available

Draft [max] - Detail32 in. (0.8 m)

Draft [max] - Detailnot available

Draft [max] - Meters0.81

Draft [max] - Metersnot available

Draft [max] - Inches32

Draft [max] - Inchesnot available

Weight - Detail2,443 lbs. (1,108 kg)

Weight - Detail140 lbs. (64 kg)

Weight - kg1108.13

Weight - kg63.5

Weight - lbs.2443

Weight - lbs.14

Width [transom] - Detail80 in. (2.0 m)

Width [transom] - Detail36 in. (0.9 m)

Height [transom]39 in. (1.0 m)

Height [transom]15 in. (0.4 m)

Length - Meters5.9

Length - Meters3.6

Length - Feet19

Length - Feet11

Length - Inches6

Length - Inches11

Length overall - Detail19 ft. 6 in. (5.9 m)

Length overall - Detail11 ft. 11 in. (3.6 m)

Length overall - Meters5.94

Length overall - Meters3.63

Length overall - Inches234

Length overall - Inches143

Body / Hull

Hull thicknessBottom: .110 in. (2.8 mm) Side: .072 in. (1.8 mm)

Hull thicknessnot available

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail60 gal. Built-in (227 l) (Specifications based on boat equipped with 4.3 l engine)

Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Liters227.12

Fuel tank capacity - Litersnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Gal6

Fuel tank capacity - Galnot available

Drive typeI/O

Drive typeOutboard

Engine max220 hp (164 kw)

Engine maxnot available

Fuel typenot available

Fuel typeGas

Operational Info

Maximum capacity1,600 lbs. (726 kg)

Maximum capacity527 lbs. (239 kg)

Maximum people9

Maximum people3

Princecraft Platinum SP 196 I/O SE 2005 vs Princecraft PR1236 2006 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Princecraft Platinum SP 196 I/O SE 2005 or the Princecraft PR1236 2006?

The Princecraft Platinum SP 196 I/O SE 2005 is the longer of the two at 19,0 feet overall. The Princecraft PR1236 2006 comes in at 11,0 feet, making it roughly 8,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which is easier to trailer — the Princecraft Platinum SP 196 I/O SE 2005 or the Princecraft PR1236 2006?

For trailering, the Princecraft PR1236 2006 has the edge at 14 lbs dry weight versus 2 443 lbs for the Princecraft Platinum SP 196 I/O SE 2005. 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.

What is the maximum horsepower rating for these boats?

The Princecraft Platinum SP 196 I/O SE 2005 has a documented max rating of 220 hp. Engine specifications for the Princecraft PR1236 2006 were not available in our database — check the OEM spec sheet or manufacturer's website for confirmation.

How many people can each boat hold?

The Princecraft Platinum SP 196 I/O SE 2005 is Coast Guard rated for 9 passengers, while the Princecraft PR1236 2006 is certified for 3. 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 Platinum SP 196 I/O SE 2005 measures 96" wide, compared to 56" for the Princecraft PR1236 2006. 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.

Are the Princecraft Platinum SP 196 I/O SE 2005 and Princecraft PR1236 2006 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Princecraft Platinum SP 196 I/O SE 2005 and the Princecraft PR1236 2006 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 196 I/O SE 2005 full specs ← Princecraft PR1236 2006 full specs