Princecraft Pro 165 BT 2005 boat specs
Princecraft
Princecraft Pro 165 BT 2005
2005
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VS
Princecraft PW 1655T 2009 boat specs
Princecraft
Princecraft PW 1655T 2009
2009
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Princecraft Pro 165 BT 2005 vs Princecraft PW 1655T 2009 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Princecraft Pro 165 BT 2005 vs Princecraft PW 1655T 2009 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.

On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Princecraft Pro 165 BT 2005 at 16,0 ft versus Princecraft PW 1655T 2009 at 16,4 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Princecraft Pro 165 BT 2005 tips the scales at 774 lbs — 116 lbs more than the Princecraft PW 1655T 2009 at 658 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 — 60 hp for the Princecraft Pro 165 BT 2005 and 50 hp for the Princecraft PW 1655T 2009. 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.

Both boats are rated for 5 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 Pro 165 BT 2005 comes in at 13 lbs per hp versus 13 lbs per hp for the Princecraft PW 1655T 2009. 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: The Princecraft Pro 165 BT 2005 and Princecraft PW 1655T 2009 are closely matched on the specs that matter most. Test-ride both on the water you actually use, check current dealer pricing, and factor in long-term service access before you sign.
General Boat Info
MakePrincecraft
MakePrincecraft
ModelPro 165 BT
ModelPW 1655T
Model Year2005
Model Year2009
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam84 in. (2.2 m)
Beam79 in. (2.01 m)
Beam - Meters2.13
Beam - Meters2.01
Beam - Inches84
Beam - Inches79
Depth - Detail30 in. (0.8 m)
Depth - Detail25 in. (0.64 m)
Depth - Centimeters76.2
Depth - Centimeters63.5
Depth - Inches3
Depth - Inches25
Draft [max] - Detail26 in. (0.7 m)
Draft [max] - Detailnot available
Draft [max] - Meters0.66
Draft [max] - Metersnot available
Draft [max] - Inches26
Draft [max] - Inchesnot available
Weight - Detail774 lbs. (351 kg)
Weight - Detail658 lbs. (298 kg)
Weight - kg351.08
Weight - kg298.46
Weight - lbs.774
Weight - lbs.658
Width [transom] - Detail69 in. (1.8 m)
Width [transom] - Detail55 in. (1.4 m)
Height [transom]20 in. (0.5 m)
Height [transom]20 in. (0.51 m)
Length - Meters4.9
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Feet16
Length - Feet16.42
Length - Inches2
Length - Inchesnot available
Length overall - Detail16 ft. 2 in. (4.9 m)
Length overall - Detail16 ft. 5 in. (5 m)
Length overall - Meters4.93
Length overall - Meters5
Length overall - Inches194
Length overall - Inches197
Body / Hull
Hull thicknessBottom: .090 in. (2.3 mm) Side: .072 in. (1.8 mm)
Hull thickness0.100 in. (2.5 mm)
Hull materialnot available
Hull materialAluminum
Hull typenot available
Hull typeFlat
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail20 gal. (77 l)
Fuel tank capacity - DetailPortable
Fuel tank capacity - Liters75.71
Fuel tank capacity - Litersnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Gal2
Fuel tank capacity - Galnot available
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeOutboard
Engine max60 hp (45 kw)
Engine max50 hp (37 kW)
Fuel typenot available
Fuel typeGas
Operational Info
Maximum capacity1,185 lbs. (538 kg)
Maximum capacityPerson: 750 lbs. (340 kg) Total: 1,360 lbs. (617 kg)
Maximum people5
Maximum people5

Princecraft Pro 165 BT 2005 vs Princecraft PW 1655T 2009 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Princecraft Pro 165 BT 2005 or the Princecraft PW 1655T 2009?
The Princecraft PW 1655T 2009 is the longer of the two at 16,4 feet overall. The Princecraft Pro 165 BT 2005 comes in at 16,0 feet, making it roughly 0,4 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.
Which is easier to trailer — the Princecraft Pro 165 BT 2005 or the Princecraft PW 1655T 2009?
For trailering, the Princecraft PW 1655T 2009 has the edge at 658 lbs dry weight versus 774 lbs for the Princecraft Pro 165 BT 2005. 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 Pro 165 BT 2005 is rated to a maximum of 60 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Princecraft PW 1655T 2009 tops out at 50 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 Pro 165 BT 2005 is Coast Guard rated for 5 passengers, while the Princecraft PW 1655T 2009 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 Pro 165 BT 2005 has a better power-to-weight ratio at 13 lbs per hp compared to 13 lbs per hp for the Princecraft PW 1655T 2009. 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 Pro 165 BT 2005 measures 84" wide, compared to 79" for the Princecraft PW 1655T 2009. 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 Pro 165 BT 2005 and Princecraft PW 1655T 2009 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Princecraft Pro 165 BT 2005 and the Princecraft PW 1655T 2009 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.