Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Princecraft Platinum SP 196 O/B AE 2004 vs Princecraft Xpedition 170 SC 2012 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The Princecraft Platinum SP 196 O/B AE 2004 vs Princecraft Xpedition 170 SC 2012 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 85-hp advantage over the Princecraft Xpedition 170 SC 2012's 115-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 196 O/B AE 2004 carries 6 gallons versus 2 gallons in the Princecraft Xpedition 170 SC 2012. 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 196 O/B AE 2004 is rated for 9 passengers, while the Princecraft Xpedition 170 SC 2012 caps at 5. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Princecraft Platinum SP 196 O/B AE 2004 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Princecraft Platinum SP 196 O/B AE 2004 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 9 passengers and at 0,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Princecraft Xpedition 170 SC 2012 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 5 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
MakePrincecraft
MakePrincecraft
ModelPlatinum SP 196 O/B AE
ModelXpedition 170 SC
Model Year2004
Model Year2012
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam96 in
Beam91 in. (2.3 m)
Beam - Meters2.44
Beam - Meters2.31
Beam - Inches96
Beam - Inches91
Draft [max] - Detail31 in
Draft [max] - Detail31 in. (0.8 m)
Draft [max] - Meters0.79
Draft [max] - Meters0.79
Draft [max] - Inches31
Draft [max] - Inches31
Weight - Detail1514 lbs
Weight - Detail1,055 lbs. (479 kg)
Weight - kg686.74
Weight - kg478.54
Weight - lbs.1514
Weight - lbs.1055
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]20 in. (0.5 m)
Length overall - Detail19 ft. 6 in
Length overall - Detail16 ft. 11 in. (5.2 m)
Length overall - Meters5.94
Length overall - Meters5.16
Length overall - Inches234
Length overall - Inches203
Depth - Detailnot available
Depth - Detail35 in. (0.9 m)
Depth - Centimetersnot available
Depth - Centimeters88.9
Depth - Inchesnot available
Depth - Inches35
Width [transom] - Detailnot available
Width [transom] - Detail78 in. (2 m)
Length - Feetnot available
Length - Feet16.92
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail60 gal
Fuel tank capacity - Detail20 gal. (77 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters227.12
Fuel tank capacity - Liters75.71
Fuel tank capacity - Gal6
Fuel tank capacity - Gal2
Engine max200 HP
Engine maxnot available
Fuel typenot available
Fuel typeGas
Drive typenot available
Drive typeOutboard
Horsepowernot available
Horsepower115 hp (86 kW)
Operational Info
Maximum capacity1915 lbs
Maximum capacity1,415 lbs. (642 kg)
Maximum people9 Persons
Maximum people5 / 675 lbs. (306 kg)
Body / Hull
Hull materialnot available
Hull materialAluminum
Hull thicknessnot available
Hull thicknessBottom: 0.100 in. (2.5 mm) Side: 0.072 in. (1.8 mm)
Hull typenot available
Hull typeDeep Vee