The Princecraft Pro 165 BT 2007 vs Princecraft Sport 174 2010 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 2007 at 16,0 ft versus Princecraft Sport 174 2010 at 17,4 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Princecraft Sport 174 2010 tips the scales at 1 289 lbs — 515 lbs less than the Princecraft Pro 165 BT 2007 at 774 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 115 hp, the Princecraft Sport 174 2010 has a 55-hp advantage over the Princecraft Pro 165 BT 2007's 60-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 174 2010 carries 35 gallons versus 2 gallons in the Princecraft Pro 165 BT 2007. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Princecraft Sport 174 2010 is rated for 7 passengers, while the Princecraft Pro 165 BT 2007 caps at 5. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Princecraft Sport 174 2010 could be the deciding factor.
At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Princecraft Sport 174 2010 comes in at 11 lbs per hp versus 13 lbs per hp for the Princecraft Pro 165 BT 2007. 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 Sport 174 2010 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 7 passengers and at 17,4 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Princecraft Pro 165 BT 2007 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 5 that costs less to run day-to-day.