Princecraft Platinum SP 196 O/B 2004 boat specs
Princecraft
Princecraft Platinum SP 196 O/B 2004
2004
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VS
Princecraft Vacanza 220 LPW I/O 2008 boat specs
Princecraft
Princecraft Vacanza 220 LPW I/O 2008
2008
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Princecraft Platinum SP 196 O/B 2004 vs Princecraft Vacanza 220 LPW I/O 2008 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Princecraft Platinum SP 196 O/B 2004 vs Princecraft Vacanza 220 LPW I/O 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 300 hp, the Princecraft Vacanza 220 LPW I/O 2008 has a 100-hp advantage over the Princecraft Platinum SP 196 O/B 2004's 200-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 5 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Princecraft Vacanza 220 LPW I/O 2008 is rated for 12 passengers, while the Princecraft Platinum SP 196 O/B 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 Vacanza 220 LPW I/O 2008 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Princecraft Vacanza 220 LPW I/O 2008 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 12 passengers and at 22,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Princecraft Platinum SP 196 O/B 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
ModelVacanza 220 LPW I/O
Model Year2004
Model Year2008
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam96 in
Beam102 in. (2.6 m)
Beam - Meters2.44
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Inches96
Beam - Inches102
Draft [max] - Detail31 in
Draft [max] - Detail34 in. (0.9 m)
Draft [max] - Meters0.79
Draft [max] - Meters0.86
Draft [max] - Inches31
Draft [max] - Inches34
Weight - Detail1500 lbs
Weight - Detail3,534 lbs. (1,603 kg)
Weight - kg680.39
Weight - kg1602.99
Weight - lbs.15
Weight - lbs.3534
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]39 in. (1 m)
Length overall - Detail19 ft. 6 in
Length overall - Detail22 ft. 0 in. (6.7 m)
Length overall - Meters5.94
Length overall - Meters6.71
Length overall - Inches234
Length overall - Inches264
Depth - Detailnot available
Depth - Detail39 in. (1 m)
Depth - Centimetersnot available
Depth - Centimeters99.06
Depth - Inchesnot available
Depth - Inches39
Width [transom] - Detailnot available
Width [transom] - Detail83 in. (2.1 m)
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Meters6.7
Length - Feetnot available
Length - Feet22
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail60 gal
Fuel tank capacity - Detail50 gal. (189 l) based on deck boat equipped with 4.3 l
Fuel tank capacity - Liters227.12
Fuel tank capacity - Liters189.27
Fuel tank capacity - Gal6
Fuel tank capacity - Gal5
Engine max200 HP
Engine max300 hp (224 kW)
Fuel typenot available
Fuel typeGas
Drive typenot available
Drive typeI/O
Operational Info
Maximum capacity1915 lbs
Maximum capacityPerson & Total: 1,725 lbs. (782 kg)
Maximum people9 Persons
Maximum people12
Body / Hull
Hull materialnot available
Hull materialAluminum
Hull thicknessnot available
Hull thicknessBottom & Side: 0.110 in. (2.8 mm)
Hull typenot available
Hull typeDeep Vee

Princecraft Platinum SP 196 O/B 2004 vs Princecraft Vacanza 220 LPW I/O 2008 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Princecraft Platinum SP 196 O/B 2004 or the Princecraft Vacanza 220 LPW I/O 2008?
For trailering, the Princecraft Platinum SP 196 O/B 2004 has the edge at 15 lbs dry weight versus 3 534 lbs for the Princecraft Vacanza 220 LPW I/O 2008. 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 Vacanza 220 LPW I/O 2008 is rated to a maximum of 300 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Princecraft Platinum SP 196 O/B 2004 tops out at 200 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 2004 is Coast Guard rated for 9 passengers, while the Princecraft Vacanza 220 LPW I/O 2008 is certified for 12. 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.
Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?
The Princecraft Vacanza 220 LPW I/O 2008 measures 102" wide, compared to 96" for the Princecraft Platinum SP 196 O/B 2004. The US standard-width towing limit is 8’6" (102") in most states — anything over that may need a wide-load permit. Confirm your specific route requirements with each state's DOT.
How do the fuel tanks compare on the Princecraft Platinum SP 196 O/B 2004 and Princecraft Vacanza 220 LPW I/O 2008?
Both boats carry similar fuel loads — 6 gallons and 5 gallons respectively. Range will depend heavily on motor choice, throttle usage, and whether you're on flat lake water or coastal chop.
Are the Princecraft Platinum SP 196 O/B 2004 and Princecraft Vacanza 220 LPW I/O 2008 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Princecraft Platinum SP 196 O/B 2004 and the Princecraft Vacanza 220 LPW I/O 2008 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.