Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Princecraft Pro 169 BT 2004 vs Princecraft Pro 185 GL 2008 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The Princecraft Pro 169 BT 2004 vs Princecraft Pro 185 GL 2008 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 175 hp, the Princecraft Pro 185 GL 2008 has a 115-hp advantage over the Princecraft Pro 169 BT 2004'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 Pro 169 BT 2004 carries 28 gallons versus 4 gallons in the Princecraft Pro 185 GL 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 185 GL 2008 is rated for 8 passengers, while the Princecraft Pro 169 BT 2004 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 185 GL 2008 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Princecraft Pro 185 GL 2008 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 8 passengers and at 18,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Princecraft Pro 169 BT 2004 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 169 BT
ModelPro 185 GL
Model Year2004
Model Year2008
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam87 in
Beam95 in. (2.4 m)
Beam - Meters2.21
Beam - Meters2.41
Beam - Inches87
Beam - Inches95
Draft [max] - Detail29 in
Draft [max] - Detail33 in. (0.8 m)
Draft [max] - Meters0.74
Draft [max] - Meters0.84
Draft [max] - Inches29
Draft [max] - Inches33
Weight - Detail780 lbs
Weight - Detail1,490 lbs. (676 kg)
Weight - kg353.8
Weight - kg675.85
Weight - lbs.78
Weight - lbs.149
Height - Detail33 in
Height - Detailnot available
Height - Meters0.84
Height - Metersnot available
Height - Inches33
Height - Inchesnot available
Height [transom]20 in
Height [transom]25 in. (0.6 m)
Length overall - Detail16 ft. 2 in
Length overall - Detail18 ft. 6 in. (5.6 m)
Length overall - Meters4.93
Length overall - Meters5.64
Length overall - Inches194
Length overall - Inches222
Depth - Detailnot available
Depth - Detail46 in. (1.2 m)
Depth - Centimetersnot available
Depth - Centimeters116.84
Depth - Inchesnot available
Depth - Inches46
Width [transom] - Detailnot available
Width [transom] - Detail80 in. (2.0 m)
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Meters5.6
Length - Feetnot available
Length - Feet18
Length - Inchesnot available
Length - Inches6
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail28 gal
Fuel tank capacity - Detail40 gal. (151 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters105.99
Fuel tank capacity - Liters151.42
Fuel tank capacity - Gal28
Fuel tank capacity - Gal4
Engine max60 HP
Engine max175 hp (131 kW)
Fuel typenot available
Fuel typeGas
Drive typenot available
Drive typeOutboard
Operational Info
Maximum capacity1100 lbs
Maximum capacityPerson: 1,158 lbs. (525 kg); Total: 1,902 lbs. (863 kg)
Maximum people5 Persons
Maximum people8
Body / Hull
Hull materialnot available
Hull materialAluminum
Hull thicknessnot available
Hull thicknessBottom: 0.110 in. (2.8 mm); Side: 0.072 in. (1.8 mm)
Hull typenot available
Hull typeModified Vee