Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Princecraft Platinum SP 196 I/O 2005 vs Princecraft Tournament SP 188 BT 2004 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The Princecraft Platinum SP 196 I/O 2005 vs Princecraft Tournament SP 188 BT 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 220 hp, the Princecraft Platinum SP 196 I/O 2005 has a 140-hp advantage over the Princecraft Tournament SP 188 BT 2004's 80-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. 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 196 I/O 2005 is rated for 9 passengers, while the Princecraft Tournament SP 188 BT 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 Platinum SP 196 I/O 2005 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Princecraft Platinum SP 196 I/O 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 Tournament SP 188 BT 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
MakePrincecraft
ModelPlatinum SP 196 I/O
ModelTournament SP 188 BT
Model Year2005
Model Year2004
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam96 in. (2.4 m)
Beam94 in
Beam - Meters2.44
Beam - Meters2.39
Beam - Inches96
Beam - Inches94
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] - Detail31 in
Draft [max] - Meters0.81
Draft [max] - Meters0.79
Draft [max] - Inches32
Draft [max] - Inches31
Weight - Detail2,419 lbs. (1,097 kg)
Weight - Detail1192 lbs
Weight - kg1097.24
Weight - kg540.68
Weight - lbs.2419
Weight - lbs.1192
Width [transom] - Detail80 in. (2.0 m)
Width [transom] - Detailnot available
Height [transom]39 in. (1.0 m)
Height [transom]20 in
Length - Meters5.9
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Feet19
Length - Feetnot available
Length - Inches6
Length - Inchesnot available
Length overall - Detail19 ft. 6 in. (5.9 m)
Length overall - Detail18 ft. 4 in
Length overall - Meters5.94
Length overall - Meters5.59
Length overall - Inches234
Length overall - Inches22
Height - Detailnot available
Height - Detail40 in
Height - Metersnot available
Height - Meters1.02
Height - Inchesnot available
Height - Inches4
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. Buklt-in (227 l) (Specifications based on boat equipped with 4.3 l engine)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail60 gal
Fuel tank capacity - Liters227.12
Fuel tank capacity - Liters227.12
Fuel tank capacity - Gal6
Fuel tank capacity - Gal6
Drive typeI/O
Drive typenot available
Engine max220 hp (164 kw)
Engine max80 HP
Operational Info
Maximum capacity1,600 lbs. (726 kg)
Maximum capacity1600 lbs
Maximum people9
Maximum people8 Persons