Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Princecraft Platinum SP 196 O/B SE 2005 vs Princecraft Pro 186 2007 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The Princecraft Platinum SP 196 O/B SE 2005 vs Princecraft Pro 186 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.
On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Princecraft Platinum SP 196 O/B SE 2005 at 19,0 ft versus Princecraft Pro 186 2007 at 18,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Princecraft Platinum SP 196 O/B SE 2005 tips the scales at 1 514 lbs — 1 365 lbs more than the Princecraft Pro 186 2007 at 149 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 power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 200 hp, the Princecraft Platinum SP 196 O/B SE 2005 has a 25-hp advantage over the Princecraft Pro 186 2007's 175-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 4 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 O/B SE 2005 is rated for 9 passengers, while the Princecraft Pro 186 2007 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 O/B SE 2005 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Princecraft Platinum SP 196 O/B 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 Pro 186 2007 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 O/B SE
ModelPro 186
Model Year2005
Model Year2007
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam96 in. (2.4 m)
Beam95 in. (2.4 m)
Beam - Meters2.44
Beam - Meters2.41
Beam - Inches96
Beam - Inches95
Depth - Detail47.5 in. (1.2 m)
Depth - Detail46 in. (1.2 m)
Depth - Centimeters121.92
Depth - Centimeters116.84
Depth - Inches47.5
Depth - Inches46
Draft [max] - Detail31 in. (0.8 m)
Draft [max] - Detail33 in. (0.8 m)
Draft [max] - Meters0.79
Draft [max] - Meters0.84
Draft [max] - Inches31
Draft [max] - Inches33
Weight - Detail1,514 lbs. (687 kg)
Weight - Detail1,490 lbs. (676 kg)
Weight - kg686.74
Weight - kg675.85
Weight - lbs.1514
Weight - lbs.149
Width [transom] - Detail80 in. (2.0 m)
Width [transom] - Detail80 in. (2.0 m)
Height [transom]25 in. (0.6 m)
Height [transom]25 in. (0.6 m)
Length - Meters5.9
Length - Meters5.6
Length - Feet19
Length - Feet18
Length - Inches6
Length - Inches6
Length overall - Detail19 ft. 6 in. (5.9 m)
Length overall - Detail18 ft. 6 in. (5.6 m)
Length overall - Meters5.94
Length overall - Meters5.64
Length overall - Inches234
Length overall - Inches222
Body / Hull
Hull thicknessBottom: .110 in. (2.8 mm) Side: .072 in. (1.8 mm)
Hull thicknessBottom: 0.110 in. (2.8 mm) Side: 0.072 in. (1.8 mm)
Hull materialnot available
Hull materialAluminum
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail60 gal. Built-in (227 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail40 gal. (151 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters227.12
Fuel tank capacity - Liters151.42
Fuel tank capacity - Gal6
Fuel tank capacity - Gal4
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeOutboard
Engine max200 hp (149 kw)
Engine max175 hp (131 kW)
Fuel typenot available
Fuel typeGas
Operational Info
Maximum capacity1,915 lbs. (869 kg)
Maximum capacityPerson: 1,158 lbs. (525 kg) Total: 1,902 lbs. (863 kg)
Maximum people9
Maximum people8