Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Princecraft Platinum SP 196 O/B 2005 vs Princecraft PW 1655 2011: Same Brand, Different Boat
The Princecraft Platinum SP 196 O/B 2005 vs Princecraft PW 1655 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 2005 at 19,0 ft versus Princecraft PW 1655 2011 at 16,4 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Princecraft Platinum SP 196 O/B 2005 tips the scales at 1 500 lbs - 842 lbs more than the Princecraft PW 1655 2011 at 658 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 2005 has a 150-hp advantage over the Princecraft PW 1655 2011'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 2005 is rated for 9 passengers, while the Princecraft PW 1655 2011 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 2005 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Princecraft Platinum SP 196 O/B 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 PW 1655 2011 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
ModelPW 1655
Model Year2005
Model Year2011
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam96 in. (2.4 m)
Beam79 in. (2.01 m)
Beam - Meters2.44
Beam - Meters2.01
Beam - Inches96
Beam - Inches79
Depth - Detail47.5 in. (1.2 m)
Depth - DetailSide: 25 in. (0.64 m)
Depth - Centimeters121.92
Depth - Centimeters63.5
Depth - Inches47.5
Depth - Inches25
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 - Detail1,500 lbs. (680 kg)
Weight - Detail658 lbs. (298 kg)
Weight - kg680.39
Weight - kg298.46
Weight - lbs.1500
Weight - lbs.658
Width [transom] - Detail80 in. (2.0 m)
Width [transom] - Detail55 in. (1.4 m)
Height [transom]25 in. (0.6 m)
Height [transom]20 in. (0.51 m)
Length - Meters5.9
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Feet19
Length - Feet16.42
Length - Inches6
Length - Inchesnot available
Length overall - Detail19 ft. 6 in. (5.9 m)
Length overall - Detail16 ft. 5 in. (5 m)
Length overall - Meters5.94
Length overall - Meters5
Length overall - Inches234
Length overall - Inches197
Body / Hull
Hull thicknessBottom: .110 in. (2.8 mm) Side: .072 in. (1.8 mm)
Hull thickness0.100 in. (2.5 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 - DetailPortable
Fuel tank capacity - Liters227.12
Fuel tank capacity - Litersnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Gal60
Fuel tank capacity - Galnot available
Drive typeOutboard
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 capacity1,360 lbs. (617 kg)
Maximum people9
Maximum people5 / 750 lbs. (340 kg)