Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Princecraft Platinum SP 196 O/B SE 2005 vs Princecraft Super Pro 185 GL 2011 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The Princecraft Platinum SP 196 O/B SE 2005 vs Princecraft Super Pro 185 GL 2011 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 Super Pro 185 GL 2011 at 18,5 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 — 1 369 lbs more than the Princecraft Super Pro 185 GL 2011 at 145 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 Super Pro 185 GL 2011'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 Super Pro 185 GL 2011 caps at 6. 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 Super Pro 185 GL 2011 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 6 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
MakePrincecraft
MakePrincecraft
ModelPlatinum SP 196 O/B SE
ModelSuper Pro 185 GL
Model Year2005
Model Year2011
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 - Detail1,450 lbs. (658 kg)
Weight - kg686.74
Weight - kg657.71
Weight - lbs.1514
Weight - lbs.145
Width [transom] - Detail80 in. (2.0 m)
Width [transom] - Detail80 in. (2 m)
Height [transom]25 in. (0.6 m)
Height [transom]25 in. (0.6 m)
Length - Meters5.9
Length - Meters5.6
Length - Feet19
Length - Feet18.5
Length - Inches6
Length - Inchesnot available
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
Hull typenot available
Hull typeModified Vee
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 capacity1,902 lbs. (863 kg)
Maximum people9
Maximum people6 / 1,158 lbs. (525 kg)