Matching a modified vee Princecraft Pro 164 SS 2008 against a deep vee Princecraft Sport 172 WS 2012 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 Pro 164 SS 2008 at 16,0 ft versus Princecraft Sport 172 WS 2012 at 17,4 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Princecraft Sport 172 WS 2012 tips the scales at 1 255 lbs — 247 lbs less than the Princecraft Pro 164 SS 2008 at 1 008 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 125 hp, the Princecraft Sport 172 WS 2012 has a 50-hp advantage over the Princecraft Pro 164 SS 2008's 75-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Princecraft Sport 172 WS 2012 carries 26 gallons versus 2 gallons in the Princecraft Pro 164 SS 2008. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.

Both boats are rated for 6 passengers — a good fit for a family of four or five plus guests. Comfort at capacity is another matter; the longer hull typically means more seat options and better weight distribution.

At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Princecraft Sport 172 WS 2012 comes in at 10 lbs per hp versus 13 lbs per hp for the Princecraft Pro 164 SS 2008. 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.