Princecraft PR 1232 2013 boat specs
Princecraft
Princecraft PR 1232 2013
2013
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VS
Princecraft PW 1655 2011 boat specs
Princecraft
Princecraft PW 1655 2011
2011
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Princecraft PR 1232 2013 vs Princecraft PW 1655 2011 — Same Brand, Different Boat

Matching a flat Princecraft PR 1232 2013 against a modified vee Princecraft PW 1655 2011 means you're likely deciding between two genuinely different on-water experiences. Hull type shapes everything from ride quality and fuel burn to dock handling and resale trajectory.

Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Princecraft PW 1655 2011 measures 16,4 feet overall (2011), giving it roughly 4,6 additional feet of deck space compared to the Princecraft PR 1232 2013 at 11,8 feet (2013). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Princecraft PW 1655 2011 tips the scales at 658 lbs — 649 lbs less than the Princecraft PR 1232 2013 at 9 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 50 hp, the Princecraft PW 1655 2011 has a 47-hp advantage over the Princecraft PR 1232 2013's 3-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 PW 1655 2011 is rated for 5 passengers, while the Princecraft PR 1232 2013 caps at 2. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Princecraft PW 1655 2011 could be the deciding factor.

At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Princecraft PR 1232 2013 comes in at 3 lbs per hp versus 13 lbs per hp for the Princecraft PW 1655 2011. The lower the ratio the more explosive the acceleration — meaningful on a short RIB where bursts of speed, quick planing, and agility in surf or tight waterways define the experience.

Bottom line: Choose the Princecraft PW 1655 2011 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 5 passengers and at 16,4 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Princecraft PR 1232 2013 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 2 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
MakePrincecraft
MakePrincecraft
ModelPR 1232
ModelPW 1655
Model Year2013
Model Year2011
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam48 in. (1.21 m)
Beam79 in. (2.01 m)
Beam - Meters1.22
Beam - Meters2.01
Beam - Inches48
Beam - Inches79
Depth - Detail16 in. (0.41 m)
Depth - DetailSide: 25 in. (0.64 m)
Depth - Centimeters40.64
Depth - Centimeters63.5
Depth - Inches16
Depth - Inches25
Weight - Detail90 lbs. (40 kg)
Weight - Detail658 lbs. (298 kg)
Weight - kg40.82
Weight - kg298.46
Weight - lbs.9
Weight - lbs.658
Height [transom]15 in. (0.38 m)
Height [transom]20 in. (0.51 m)
Length - Feet11.83
Length - Feet16.42
Length overall - Detail11 ft. 10 in. (3.6 m)
Length overall - Detail16 ft. 5 in. (5 m)
Length overall - Meters3.61
Length overall - Meters5
Length overall - Inches142
Length overall - Inches197
Width [transom] - Detailnot available
Width [transom] - Detail55 in. (1.4 m)
Body / Hull
Hull materialAluminum
Hull materialAluminum
Hull thickness0.05 in. (1.27 mm)
Hull thickness0.100 in. (2.5 mm)
Hull typeFlat
Hull typeModified Vee
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - DetailPortable
Fuel tank capacity - DetailPortable
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typeGas
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeOutboard
Engine max3 hp (2 kW)
Engine max50 hp (37 kW)
Operational Info
Maximum capacity335 lbs. (151 kg)
Maximum capacity1,360 lbs. (617 kg)
Maximum people2 / 295 lbs. (133 kg)
Maximum people5 / 750 lbs. (340 kg)

Princecraft PR 1232 2013 vs Princecraft PW 1655 2011 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Princecraft PR 1232 2013 or the Princecraft PW 1655 2011?
The Princecraft PW 1655 2011 is the longer of the two at 16,4 feet overall. The Princecraft PR 1232 2013 comes in at 11,8 feet, making it roughly 4,6 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.
Which is easier to trailer — the Princecraft PR 1232 2013 or the Princecraft PW 1655 2011?
For trailering, the Princecraft PR 1232 2013 has the edge at 9 lbs dry weight versus 658 lbs for the Princecraft PW 1655 2011. 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 PW 1655 2011 is rated to a maximum of 50 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Princecraft PR 1232 2013 tops out at 3 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 PR 1232 2013 is Coast Guard rated for 2 passengers, while the Princecraft PW 1655 2011 is certified for 5. 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 has the better power-to-weight ratio?
The Princecraft PR 1232 2013 has a better power-to-weight ratio at 3 lbs per hp compared to 13 lbs per hp for the Princecraft PW 1655 2011. A lower number means quicker acceleration and faster time to plane — the number that actually matters most on short, sporty boats like these.
Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?
The Princecraft PW 1655 2011 measures 79" wide, compared to 48" for the Princecraft PR 1232 2013. 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.
Are the Princecraft PR 1232 2013 and Princecraft PW 1655 2011 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Princecraft PR 1232 2013 and the Princecraft PW 1655 2011 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.