Princecraft Pro 166 2008 boat specs
Princecraft
Princecraft Pro 166 2008
2008
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VS
Princecraft Pro 179 DX BT 2006 boat specs
Princecraft
Princecraft Pro 179 DX BT 2006
2006
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Princecraft Pro 166 2008 vs Princecraft Pro 179 DX BT 2006 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Princecraft Pro 166 2008 vs Princecraft Pro 179 DX BT 2006 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 166 2008 at 16,0 ft versus Princecraft Pro 179 DX BT 2006 at 17,0 ft. At 1 009 lbs and 1 095 lbs respectively, both sit in a similar weight class — either should pair comfortably with most mid-size SUVs and half-ton trucks, though always confirm your specific tow rating with the motor added.

Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling — 90 hp for the Princecraft Pro 166 2008 and 75 hp for the Princecraft Pro 179 DX BT 2006. 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. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Princecraft Pro 179 DX BT 2006 carries 35 gallons versus 28 gallons in the Princecraft Pro 166 2008. 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 Pro 166 2008 is rated for 6 passengers, while the Princecraft Pro 179 DX BT 2006 caps at 5. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Princecraft Pro 166 2008 could be the deciding factor.

At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Princecraft Pro 166 2008 comes in at 11 lbs per hp versus 15 lbs per hp for the Princecraft Pro 179 DX BT 2006. 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 Pro 166 2008 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 6 passengers and at 16,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Princecraft Pro 179 DX BT 2006 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 5 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
MakePrincecraft
MakePrincecraft
ModelPro 166
ModelPro 179 DX BT
Model Year2008
Model Year2006
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam88 in. (2.2 m)
Beam92 in. (2.3 m)
Beam - Meters2.24
Beam - Meters2.34
Beam - Inches88
Beam - Inches92
Depth - Detail38 in. (1.0 m)
Depth - Detail36 in. (0.9 m)
Depth - Centimeters96.52
Depth - Centimeters91.44
Depth - Inches38
Depth - Inches36
Draft [max] - Detail30 in. (0.8 m)
Draft [max] - Detail31 in. (0.8 m)
Draft [max] - Meters0.76
Draft [max] - Meters0.79
Draft [max] - Inches3
Draft [max] - Inches31
Weight - Detail1,009 lbs. (458 kg)
Weight - Detail1,095 lbs. (497 kg)
Weight - kg457.67
Weight - kg496.68
Weight - lbs.1009
Weight - lbs.1095
Width [transom] - Detail71 in. (1.8 m)
Width [transom] - Detail76 in. (1.9 m)
Height [transom]20 in. (0.5 m)
Height [transom]20 in. (0.5 m)
Length - Meters5
Length - Meters5.4
Length - Feet16
Length - Feet17
Length - Inches6
Length - Inches1
Length overall - Detail16 ft. 6 in. (5 m)
Length overall - Detail17 ft. 10 in. (5.4 m)
Length overall - Meters5.03
Length overall - Meters5.44
Length overall - Inches198
Length overall - Inches214
Body / Hull
Hull materialAluminum
Hull materialnot available
Hull thicknessBottom: 0.090 in. (2.3 mm) Side: 0.072 in. (1.8 mm)
Hull thicknessBottom: .100 in. (2.5 mm) Side: .072 in. (1.8 mm)
Hull typeModified Vee
Hull typenot available
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail28 gal. (106 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail35 gal. (132 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters105.99
Fuel tank capacity - Liters132.49
Fuel tank capacity - Gal28
Fuel tank capacity - Gal35
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typeGas
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeOutboard
Engine max90 hp (67 kW)
Engine max75 hp (56 kw)
Operational Info
Maximum capacityPerson: 765 lbs. (347 kg) Total: 1,367 lbs. (620 kg)
Maximum capacity1,300 lbs. (590 kg)
Maximum people6
Maximum people5
Trailer Info
Trailer - Detailnot available
Trailer - DetailStandard Painted Bunk Style Trailer
Trailer - Weightnot available
Trailer - Weight518 lbs. (235 kg)

Princecraft Pro 166 2008 vs Princecraft Pro 179 DX BT 2006 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Princecraft Pro 166 2008 or the Princecraft Pro 179 DX BT 2006?
The Princecraft Pro 179 DX BT 2006 is the longer of the two at 17,0 feet overall. The Princecraft Pro 166 2008 comes in at 16,0 feet, making it roughly 1,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.
Which is easier to trailer — the Princecraft Pro 166 2008 or the Princecraft Pro 179 DX BT 2006?
For trailering, the Princecraft Pro 166 2008 has the edge at 1 009 lbs dry weight versus 1 095 lbs for the Princecraft Pro 179 DX BT 2006. 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 166 2008 is rated to a maximum of 90 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Princecraft Pro 179 DX BT 2006 tops out at 75 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 2008 is Coast Guard rated for 6 passengers, while the Princecraft Pro 179 DX BT 2006 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 166 2008 has a better power-to-weight ratio at 11 lbs per hp compared to 15 lbs per hp for the Princecraft Pro 179 DX BT 2006. 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 179 DX BT 2006 measures 92" wide, compared to 88" for the Princecraft Pro 166 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.
Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Princecraft Pro 166 2008 or the Princecraft Pro 179 DX BT 2006?
The Princecraft Pro 179 DX BT 2006 has the bigger tank at 35 gallons, versus 28 gallons on the Princecraft Pro 166 2008. That 7-gallon difference translates to roughly 21–35 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.
Are the Princecraft Pro 166 2008 and Princecraft Pro 179 DX BT 2006 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Princecraft Pro 166 2008 and the Princecraft Pro 179 DX BT 2006 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.