Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Princecraft Platinum SP 196 O/B AE 2004 vs Princecraft Versailles 26 LP-SS 2008 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The Princecraft Platinum SP 196 O/B AE 2004 vs Princecraft Versailles 26 LP-SS 2008 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 200 hp, the Princecraft Platinum SP 196 O/B AE 2004 has a 65-hp advantage over the Princecraft Versailles 26 LP-SS 2008's 135-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 Versailles 26 LP-SS 2008 carries 33 gallons versus 6 gallons in the Princecraft Platinum SP 196 O/B AE 2004. 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 Versailles 26 LP-SS 2008 is rated for 15 passengers, while the Princecraft Platinum SP 196 O/B AE 2004 caps at 9. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Princecraft Versailles 26 LP-SS 2008 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Princecraft Versailles 26 LP-SS 2008 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 15 passengers and at 26,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Princecraft Platinum SP 196 O/B AE 2004 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 9 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
MakePrincecraft
MakePrincecraft
ModelPlatinum SP 196 O/B AE
ModelVersailles 26 LP-SS
Model Year2004
Model Year2008
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam96 in
Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.6 m)
Beam - Meters2.44
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Inches96
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 - Detail1514 lbs
Weight - Detail2,333 lbs. (1,058 kg)
Weight - kg686.74
Weight - kg1058.23
Weight - lbs.1514
Weight - lbs.2333
Height - Detail47.5 in
Height - Detailnot available
Height - Meters1.22
Height - Metersnot available
Height - Inches47.5
Height - Inchesnot available
Height [transom]25 in
Height [transom]not available
Length overall - Detail19 ft. 6 in
Length overall - Detail26 ft. 4 in. (8 m)
Length overall - Meters5.94
Length overall - Meters8.03
Length overall - Inches234
Length overall - Inches316
Length [at waterline]not available
Length [at waterline]Pontoon: 26 ft. 4 in. (8 m)
Length [deck]not available
Length [deck]26 ft. 3 in. (8 m)
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Meters8
Length - Feetnot available
Length - Feet26
Length - Inchesnot available
Length - Inches4
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 - Gal6
Fuel tank capacity - Gal33
Engine max200 HP
Engine max135 hp (101 kW)
Fuel typenot available
Fuel typeGas
Drive typenot available
Drive typeOutboard
Operational Info
Maximum capacity1915 lbs
Maximum capacityPerson: 2,067 lbs. (938 kg) Total: 2,807 lbs. (1,273 kg)
Maximum people9 Persons
Maximum people15
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