Princecraft Pro 166 2004 boat specs
Princecraft
Princecraft Pro 166 2004
2004
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VS
Princecraft Vantage 23-4S 2012 boat specs
Princecraft
Princecraft Vantage 23-4S 2012
2012
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Princecraft Pro 166 2004 vs Princecraft Vantage 23-4S 2012 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Princecraft Pro 166 2004 vs Princecraft Vantage 23-4S 2012 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.

The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 115 hp, the Princecraft Vantage 23-4S 2012 has a 25-hp advantage over the Princecraft Pro 166 2004's 90-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Both carry nearly identical fuel loads — 28 gal and 27 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Princecraft Vantage 23-4S 2012 is rated for 8 passengers, while the Princecraft Pro 166 2004 caps at 6. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Princecraft Vantage 23-4S 2012 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Princecraft Vantage 23-4S 2012 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 8 passengers and at 23,8 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Princecraft Pro 166 2004 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 6 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
MakePrincecraft
MakePrincecraft
ModelPro 166
ModelVantage 23-4S
Model Year2004
Model Year2012
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam88 in
Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.6 m)
Beam - Meters2.24
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Inches88
Beam - Inches102
Draft [max] - Detail30 in
Draft [max] - Detailnot available
Draft [max] - Meters0.76
Draft [max] - Metersnot available
Draft [max] - Inches3
Draft [max] - Inchesnot available
Weight - Detail1009 lbs
Weight - Detail2,062 lbs. (935 kg)
Weight - kg457.67
Weight - kg935.31
Weight - lbs.1009
Weight - lbs.2062
Height - Detail38 in
Height - Detailnot available
Height - Meters0.97
Height - Metersnot available
Height - Inches38
Height - Inchesnot available
Height [transom]20 in
Height [transom]not available
Length overall - Detail16 ft. 6 in
Length overall - Detail23 ft. 9 in. (7.2 m)
Length overall - Meters5.03
Length overall - Meters7.24
Length overall - Inches198
Length overall - Inches285
Length [deck]not available
Length [deck]22 ft. 8 in. (6.9 m)
Length - Feetnot available
Length - Feet23.75
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail28 gal
Fuel tank capacity - Detail27 gal. (102 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters105.99
Fuel tank capacity - Liters102.21
Fuel tank capacity - Gal28
Fuel tank capacity - Gal27
Engine max90 HP
Engine max115 hp (86 kW)
Fuel typenot available
Fuel typeGas
Drive typenot available
Drive typeOutboard
Operational Info
Maximum capacity1367 lbs
Maximum capacity2,065 lbs. (937 kg)
Maximum people6 Persons
Maximum people8 / 1,325 lbs. (601 kg)
Body / Hull
Hull materialnot available
Hull materialAluminum
Hull typenot available
Hull typePontoon
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

Princecraft Pro 166 2004 vs Princecraft Vantage 23-4S 2012 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Princecraft Pro 166 2004 or the Princecraft Vantage 23-4S 2012?
For trailering, the Princecraft Pro 166 2004 has the edge at 1 009 lbs dry weight versus 2 062 lbs for the Princecraft Vantage 23-4S 2012. 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 Vantage 23-4S 2012 is rated to a maximum of 115 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Princecraft Pro 166 2004 tops out at 90 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 166 2004 is Coast Guard rated for 6 passengers, while the Princecraft Vantage 23-4S 2012 is certified for 8. 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 is wider, and does it affect trailering?
The Princecraft Vantage 23-4S 2012 measures 102" wide, compared to 88" for the Princecraft Pro 166 2004. 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.
How do the fuel tanks compare on the Princecraft Pro 166 2004 and Princecraft Vantage 23-4S 2012?
Both boats carry similar fuel loads — 28 gallons and 27 gallons respectively. Range will depend heavily on motor choice, throttle usage, and whether you're on flat lake water or coastal chop.
Are the Princecraft Pro 166 2004 and Princecraft Vantage 23-4S 2012 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Princecraft Pro 166 2004 and the Princecraft Vantage 23-4S 2012 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.