Princecraft Platinum SP 220 AE 2004 vs Princecraft SP 196 Platinum 2006 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Princecraft Platinum SP 220 AE 2004 or the Princecraft SP 196 Platinum 2006?

For trailering, the Princecraft SP 196 Platinum 2006 has the edge at 15 lbs dry weight versus 1 886 lbs for the Princecraft Platinum SP 220 AE 2004. 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 220 AE 2004 is rated to a maximum of 225 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Princecraft SP 196 Platinum 2006 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.

Q: How many people can each boat hold?

The Princecraft Platinum SP 220 AE 2004 is Coast Guard rated for 10 passengers, while the Princecraft SP 196 Platinum 2006 is certified for 9. 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: Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Princecraft SP 196 Platinum 2006 measures 96" wide, compared to 1" for the Princecraft Platinum SP 220 AE 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.

Q: How do the fuel tanks compare on the Princecraft Platinum SP 220 AE 2004 and Princecraft SP 196 Platinum 2006?

Both boats carry similar fuel loads — 6 gallons and 6 gallons respectively. Range will depend heavily on motor choice, throttle usage, and whether you're on flat lake water or coastal chop.

Q: Are the Princecraft Platinum SP 220 AE 2004 and Princecraft SP 196 Platinum 2006 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Princecraft Platinum SP 220 AE 2004 and the Princecraft SP 196 Platinum 2006 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 220 AE 2004 vs Princecraft SP 196 Platinum 2006

Princecraft

Princecraft Platinum SP 220 AE 2004

2004

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Princecraft

Princecraft SP 196 Platinum 2006

2006

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Princecraft Platinum SP 220 AE 2004 vs Princecraft SP 196 Platinum 2006 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Princecraft Platinum SP 220 AE 2004 vs Princecraft SP 196 Platinum 2006 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 225 hp, the Princecraft Platinum SP 220 AE 2004 has a 25-hp advantage over the Princecraft SP 196 Platinum 2006'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 6 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 220 AE 2004 is rated for 10 passengers, while the Princecraft SP 196 Platinum 2006 caps at 9. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Princecraft Platinum SP 220 AE 2004 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Princecraft Platinum SP 220 AE 2004 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 10 passengers and at 0,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Princecraft SP 196 Platinum 2006 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

ModelPlatinum SP 220 AE

ModelSP 196 Platinum

Model Year2004

Model Year2006

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam100 in

Beam96 in. (2.4 m)

Beam - Meters2.54

Beam - Meters2.44

Beam - Inches1

Beam - Inches96

Draft [max] - Detail34 in

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

Draft [max] - Meters0.86

Draft [max] - Meters0.79

Draft [max] - Inches34

Draft [max] - Inches31

Weight - Detail1886 lbs

Weight - Detail1,500 lbs. (680 kg)

Weight - kg855.47

Weight - kg680.39

Weight - lbs.1886

Weight - lbs.15

Height - Detail50 in

Height - Detailnot available

Height - Meters1.27

Height - Metersnot available

Height - Inches5

Height - Inchesnot available

Height [transom]25 in

Height [transom]25 in. (0.6 m)

Length overall - Detail22 ft. 0 in

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

Length overall - Meters6.71

Length overall - Meters5.94

Length overall - Inches264

Length overall - Inches234

Depth - Detailnot available

Depth - Detail47.5 in. (1.2 m)

Depth - Centimetersnot available

Depth - Centimeters121.92

Depth - Inchesnot available

Depth - Inches47.5

Width [transom] - Detailnot available

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

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Meters5.9

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Feet19

Length - Inchesnot available

Length - Inches6

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail60 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Detail60 gal. (227 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters227.12

Fuel tank capacity - Gal6

Engine max225 HP

Engine max200 hp (149 kw)

Fuel typenot available

Fuel typeGas

Drive typenot available

Drive typeOutboard

Operational Info

Maximum capacity2150 lbs

Maximum capacity1,915 lbs. (869 kg)

Maximum people10 Persons

Maximum people9

Body / Hull

Hull thicknessnot available

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

Trailer Info

Trailer - Detailnot available

Trailer - DetailStandard Painted Bunk Style Trailer

Trailer - Weightnot available

Trailer - Weight683 lbs. (310 kg)

Princecraft Platinum SP 220 AE 2004 vs Princecraft SP 196 Platinum 2006 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Princecraft Platinum SP 220 AE 2004 or the Princecraft SP 196 Platinum 2006?

For trailering, the Princecraft SP 196 Platinum 2006 has the edge at 15 lbs dry weight versus 1 886 lbs for the Princecraft Platinum SP 220 AE 2004. 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 220 AE 2004 is rated to a maximum of 225 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Princecraft SP 196 Platinum 2006 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 220 AE 2004 is Coast Guard rated for 10 passengers, while the Princecraft SP 196 Platinum 2006 is certified for 9. 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 SP 196 Platinum 2006 measures 96" wide, compared to 1" for the Princecraft Platinum SP 220 AE 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 220 AE 2004 and Princecraft SP 196 Platinum 2006?

Both boats carry similar fuel loads — 6 gallons and 6 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 220 AE 2004 and Princecraft SP 196 Platinum 2006 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Princecraft Platinum SP 220 AE 2004 and the Princecraft SP 196 Platinum 2006 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 220 AE 2004 full specs ← Princecraft SP 196 Platinum 2006 full specs