Princecraft Platinum SP 196 O/B SE 2005 vs Princecraft Vectra 17 2013 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Princecraft Platinum SP 196 O/B SE 2005 or the Princecraft Vectra 17 2013?

The Princecraft Platinum SP 196 O/B SE 2005 is the longer of the two at 19,0 feet overall. The Princecraft Vectra 17 2013 comes in at 17,7 feet, making it roughly 1,3 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Princecraft Platinum SP 196 O/B SE 2005 or the Princecraft Vectra 17 2013?

For trailering, the Princecraft Vectra 17 2013 has the edge at 1 312 lbs dry weight versus 1 514 lbs for the Princecraft Platinum SP 196 O/B SE 2005. Add a motor (typically 300–500 lbs for an outboard in this class), gear, and a partial fuel load and the difference grows. Lighter is friendlier on smaller tow vehicles and on fuel economy while hauling.

Q: Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Princecraft Platinum SP 196 O/B SE 2005 is rated to a maximum of 200 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Princecraft Vectra 17 2013 tops out at 50 hp. Keep in mind that maximum ratings are just that — matching the motor to the actual load and usage pattern usually matters more than chasing the ceiling.

Q: How many people can each boat hold?

The Princecraft Platinum SP 196 O/B SE 2005 is Coast Guard rated for 9 passengers, while the Princecraft Vectra 17 2013 is certified for 6. Note that legal capacity and comfortable capacity aren't always the same thing — on a full day out, most experienced boaters aim for about 80% of the rated number to keep things comfortable.

Q: Do these boats require an oversize trailer permit to tow on US highways?

Both the Princecraft Platinum SP 196 O/B SE 2005 and Princecraft Vectra 17 2013 share an 96 in. (2.4 m) beam — meaning both sit right at the 8’6" threshold that most US states use for standard-width loads. In most states you can tow at that width without a special permit, but regulations vary. Always check the rules for your state and any states you'll be passing through before your first long haul.

Q: Are the Princecraft Platinum SP 196 O/B SE 2005 and Princecraft Vectra 17 2013 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Princecraft Platinum SP 196 O/B SE 2005 and the Princecraft Vectra 17 2013 are built by Princecraft. That means shared dealer networks, common parts availability, and consistent build quality across the line. The choice between them is essentially a question of how much boat you need, not which brand you trust.

Boat Comparison

Princecraft Platinum SP 196 O/B SE 2005 vs Princecraft Vectra 17 2013

Princecraft

Princecraft Platinum SP 196 O/B SE 2005

2005

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Princecraft

Princecraft Vectra 17 2013

2013

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Princecraft Platinum SP 196 O/B SE 2005 vs Princecraft Vectra 17 2013 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Princecraft Platinum SP 196 O/B SE 2005 vs Princecraft Vectra 17 2013 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 Vectra 17 2013 at 17,7 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 — 202 lbs more than the Princecraft Vectra 17 2013 at 1 312 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 150-hp advantage over the Princecraft Vectra 17 2013's 50-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load.

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 Vectra 17 2013 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 Vectra 17 2013 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

ModelPlatinum SP 196 O/B SE

ModelVectra 17

Model Year2005

Model Year2013

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam96 in. (2.4 m)

Beam8 ft. (2.4 m)

Beam - Meters2.44

Beam - Inches96

Depth - Detail47.5 in. (1.2 m)

Depth - Detailnot available

Depth - Centimeters121.92

Depth - Centimetersnot available

Depth - Inches47.5

Depth - Inchesnot available

Draft [max] - Detail31 in. (0.8 m)

Draft [max] - Detailnot available

Draft [max] - Meters0.79

Draft [max] - Metersnot available

Draft [max] - Inches31

Draft [max] - Inchesnot available

Weight - Detail1,514 lbs. (687 kg)

Weight - Detail1,312 lbs. (595 kg)

Weight - kg686.74

Weight - kg595.11

Weight - lbs.1514

Weight - lbs.1312

Width [transom] - Detail80 in. (2.0 m)

Width [transom] - Detailnot available

Height [transom]25 in. (0.6 m)

Height [transom]not available

Length - Meters5.9

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Feet19

Length - Feet17.67

Length - Inches6

Length - Inchesnot available

Length overall - Detail19 ft. 6 in. (5.9 m)

Length overall - Detail17 ft. 8 in. (5.4 m)

Length overall - Meters5.94

Length overall - Meters5.38

Length overall - Inches234

Length overall - Inches212

Length [at waterline]not available

Length [at waterline]16 ft. 3 in. (4.9 m) pontoon

Length [deck]not available

Length [deck]16 ft. 1 in. (4.9 m)

Body / Hull

Hull thicknessBottom: .110 in. (2.8 mm) Side: .072 in. (1.8 mm)

Hull thicknessnot available

Hull materialnot available

Hull materialAluminum

Hull typenot available

Hull typePontoon

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail60 gal. Built-in (227 l)

Fuel tank capacity - DetailPortable

Fuel tank capacity - Liters227.12

Fuel tank capacity - Litersnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Gal6

Fuel tank capacity - Galnot available

Drive typeOutboard

Engine max200 hp (149 kw)

Engine max50 hp (37 kW)

Fuel typenot available

Fuel typeGas

Operational Info

Maximum capacity1,915 lbs. (869 kg)

Maximum capacity1,451 lbs. (658 kg)

Maximum people9

Maximum people6 / 950 lbs. (431 kg)

Pontoon and Inflatable Specific

Tube diameternot available

Tube diameter23 in. (0.58 m)

Tube gaugenot available

Tube gauge0.08 in. (2 mm)

Princecraft Platinum SP 196 O/B SE 2005 vs Princecraft Vectra 17 2013 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Princecraft Platinum SP 196 O/B SE 2005 or the Princecraft Vectra 17 2013?

The Princecraft Platinum SP 196 O/B SE 2005 is the longer of the two at 19,0 feet overall. The Princecraft Vectra 17 2013 comes in at 17,7 feet, making it roughly 1,3 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which is easier to trailer — the Princecraft Platinum SP 196 O/B SE 2005 or the Princecraft Vectra 17 2013?

For trailering, the Princecraft Vectra 17 2013 has the edge at 1 312 lbs dry weight versus 1 514 lbs for the Princecraft Platinum SP 196 O/B SE 2005. Add a motor (typically 300–500 lbs for an outboard in this class), gear, and a partial fuel load and the difference grows. Lighter is friendlier on smaller tow vehicles and on fuel economy while hauling.

Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Princecraft Platinum SP 196 O/B SE 2005 is rated to a maximum of 200 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Princecraft Vectra 17 2013 tops out at 50 hp. Keep in mind that maximum ratings are just that — matching the motor to the actual load and usage pattern usually matters more than chasing the ceiling.

How many people can each boat hold?

The Princecraft Platinum SP 196 O/B SE 2005 is Coast Guard rated for 9 passengers, while the Princecraft Vectra 17 2013 is certified for 6. Note that legal capacity and comfortable capacity aren't always the same thing — on a full day out, most experienced boaters aim for about 80% of the rated number to keep things comfortable.

Do these boats require an oversize trailer permit to tow on US highways?

Both the Princecraft Platinum SP 196 O/B SE 2005 and Princecraft Vectra 17 2013 share an 96 in. (2.4 m) beam — meaning both sit right at the 8’6" threshold that most US states use for standard-width loads. In most states you can tow at that width without a special permit, but regulations vary. Always check the rules for your state and any states you'll be passing through before your first long haul.

Are the Princecraft Platinum SP 196 O/B SE 2005 and Princecraft Vectra 17 2013 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Princecraft Platinum SP 196 O/B SE 2005 and the Princecraft Vectra 17 2013 are built by Princecraft. That means shared dealer networks, common parts availability, and consistent build quality across the line. The choice between them is essentially a question of how much boat you need, not which brand you trust.

← Princecraft Platinum SP 196 O/B SE 2005 full specs ← Princecraft Vectra 17 2013 full specs