Princecraft PR1648MT 2008 boat specs
Princecraft
Princecraft PR1648MT 2008
2008
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VS
Princecraft Vectra 17 2013 boat specs
Princecraft
Princecraft Vectra 17 2013
2013
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Princecraft PR1648MT 2008 vs Princecraft Vectra 17 2013 — Same Brand, Different Boat

Matching a flat Princecraft PR1648MT 2008 against a pontoon Princecraft Vectra 17 2013 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.

On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Princecraft PR1648MT 2008 at 15,0 ft versus Princecraft Vectra 17 2013 at 17,7 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Princecraft Vectra 17 2013 tips the scales at 1 312 lbs — 1 270 lbs less than the Princecraft PR1648MT 2008 at 42 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.

Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling — 35 hp for the Princecraft PR1648MT 2008 and 50 hp for the Princecraft Vectra 17 2013. Real-world performance will come down more to which motor is actually bolted on, its load at the time, and whether it's a 4-stroke or 2-stroke setup.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Princecraft Vectra 17 2013 is rated for 6 passengers, while the Princecraft PR1648MT 2008 caps at 4. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Princecraft Vectra 17 2013 could be the deciding factor.

At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Princecraft PR1648MT 2008 comes in at 1 lbs per hp versus 26 lbs per hp for the Princecraft Vectra 17 2013. 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 Vectra 17 2013 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 6 passengers and at 17,7 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Princecraft PR1648MT 2008 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 4 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
MakePrincecraft
MakePrincecraft
ModelPR1648MT
ModelVectra 17
Model Year2008
Model Year2013
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam70 in. (1.77 m)
Beam8 ft. (2.4 m)
Beam - Meters1.78
Beam - Meters2.44
Beam - Inches7
Beam - Inches96
Depth - Detail21 in. (0.53 m)
Depth - Detailnot available
Depth - Centimeters53.34
Depth - Centimetersnot available
Depth - Inches21
Depth - Inchesnot available
Weight - Detail420 lbs. (191 kg)
Weight - Detail1,312 lbs. (595 kg)
Weight - kg190.51
Weight - kg595.11
Weight - lbs.42
Weight - lbs.1312
Width [transom] - Detail48 in. (1.2 m)
Width [transom] - Detailnot available
Height [transom]20 in. (0.5 m)
Height [transom]not available
Length - Meters4.82
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Feet15
Length - Feet17.67
Length - Inches1
Length - Inchesnot available
Length overall - Detail15 ft. 10 in. (4.82 m)
Length overall - Detail17 ft. 8 in. (5.4 m)
Length overall - Meters4.83
Length overall - Meters5.38
Length overall - Inches19
Length overall - Inches212
Length [at waterline]not available
Length [at waterline]16 ft. 3 in. (4.9 m) pontoon
Length [deck]not available
Length [deck]16 ft. 1 in. (4.9 m)
Body / Hull
Hull materialAluminum
Hull materialAluminum
Hull thicknessHull: 0.072 in. (0.183 cm)
Hull thicknessnot available
Hull typeFlat
Hull typePontoon
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - DetailPortable
Fuel tank capacity - DetailPortable
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typeGas
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeOutboard
Engine max35 hp (26 kW)
Engine max50 hp (37 kW)
Operational Info
Maximum capacityPerson: 555 lbs. (252 kg) Total: 973 lbs. (441 kg)
Maximum capacity1,451 lbs. (658 kg)
Maximum people4
Maximum people6 / 950 lbs. (431 kg)
Pontoon and Inflatable Specific
Tube diameternot available
Tube diameter23 in. (0.58 m)
Tube gaugenot available
Tube gauge0.08 in. (2 mm)

Princecraft PR1648MT 2008 vs Princecraft Vectra 17 2013 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Princecraft PR1648MT 2008 or the Princecraft Vectra 17 2013?
The Princecraft Vectra 17 2013 is the longer of the two at 17,7 feet overall. The Princecraft PR1648MT 2008 comes in at 15,0 feet, making it roughly 2,7 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.
Which is easier to trailer — the Princecraft PR1648MT 2008 or the Princecraft Vectra 17 2013?
For trailering, the Princecraft PR1648MT 2008 has the edge at 42 lbs dry weight versus 1 312 lbs for the Princecraft Vectra 17 2013. 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 Vectra 17 2013 is rated to a maximum of 50 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Princecraft PR1648MT 2008 tops out at 35 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 PR1648MT 2008 is Coast Guard rated for 4 passengers, while the Princecraft Vectra 17 2013 is certified for 6. 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 PR1648MT 2008 has a better power-to-weight ratio at 1 lbs per hp compared to 26 lbs per hp for the Princecraft Vectra 17 2013. 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 Vectra 17 2013 measures 96" wide, compared to 7" for the Princecraft PR1648MT 2008. 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 PR1648MT 2008 and Princecraft Vectra 17 2013 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Princecraft PR1648MT 2008 and the Princecraft Vectra 17 2013 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.