Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Princecraft PR1236 2007 vs Princecraft Sportfisher 20 LX 2009: Same Brand, Different Boat
The Princecraft PR1236 2007 is a modified-V design and the Princecraft Sportfisher 20 LX 2009 is a pontoon design, so you're likely deciding between two noticeably 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 Sportfisher 20 LX 2009 measures 20,5 feet overall (2009), giving it roughly 9,5 additional feet of deck space compared to the Princecraft PR1236 2007 at 11,0 feet (2007). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Princecraft Sportfisher 20 LX 2009 tips the scales at 1 700 lbs - 1 560 lbs less than the Princecraft PR1236 2007 at 140 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 90 hp, the Princecraft Sportfisher 20 LX 2009 has a 80-hp advantage over the Princecraft PR1236 2007's 10-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 Sportfisher 20 LX 2009 is rated for 9 passengers, while the Princecraft PR1236 2007 caps at 3. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Princecraft Sportfisher 20 LX 2009 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Princecraft Sportfisher 20 LX 2009 if your priority is putting more people on the water - it handles 9 passengers and at 20,5 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Princecraft PR1236 2007 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 3 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
MakePrincecraft
MakePrincecraft
ModelPR1236
ModelSportfisher 20 LX
Model Year2007
Model Year2009
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam56 in. (1.4 m)
Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.6 m)
Beam - Meters1.42
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Inches56
Beam - Inches102
Weight - Detail140 lbs. (64 kg)
Weight - Detail1,700 lbs. (771 kg)
Weight - kg63.5
Weight - kg771.11
Weight - lbs.140
Weight - lbs.1700
Width [transom] - Detail36 in. (0.9 m)
Width [transom] - Detailnot available
Height [transom]15 in. (0.4 m)
Height [transom]not available
Length - Meters3.6
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Feet11
Length - Feet20.5
Length - Inches11
Length - Inchesnot available
Length overall - Detail11 ft. 11 in. (3.6 m)
Length overall - Detail20 ft. 6 in. (6.2 m)
Length overall - Meters3.63
Length overall - Meters6.25
Length overall - Inches143
Length overall - Inches246
Length [at waterline]not available
Length [at waterline]20 ft. 4 in. (6.2 m)
Length [deck]not available
Length [deck]20 ft. (6.1 m)
Body / Hull
Hull materialAluminum
Hull materialAluminum
Hull typeModified Vee
Hull typePontoon
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - DetailPortable
Fuel tank capacity - Detail33 gal. (125 l)
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeOutboard
Engine max10 hp (7.5 kW)
Engine max90 hp (67 kW)
Fuel tank capacity - Litersnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Liters124.92
Fuel tank capacity - Galnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Gal33
Operational Info
Maximum capacityPerson: 325 lbs. (147 kg) Total: 527 lbs. (239 kg)
Maximum capacityPerson: 1,495 lbs. (678 kg) Total: 2,097 lbs. (951 kg)
Maximum people3
Maximum people9
Pontoon and Inflatable Specific
Tube diameternot available
Tube diameter25 in. (0.64 m)
Tube gaugenot available
Tube gauge0.080 in. (2 mm)
Number of tubesnot available
Number of tubes2