The Princecraft Pro 174 SS 2008 vs Princecraft Xpedition 170 BT 2013 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 174 SS 2008 at 17,0 ft versus Princecraft Xpedition 170 BT 2013 at 16,9 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Princecraft Pro 174 SS 2008 tips the scales at 1 289 lbs — 274 lbs more than the Princecraft Xpedition 170 BT 2013 at 1 015 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 Pro 174 SS 2008 has a 40-hp advantage over the Princecraft Xpedition 170 BT 2013's 75-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 174 SS 2008 carries 35 gallons versus 2 gallons in the Princecraft Xpedition 170 BT 2013. 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 174 SS 2008 is rated for 7 passengers, while the Princecraft Xpedition 170 BT 2013 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 174 SS 2008 could be the deciding factor.

At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Princecraft Pro 174 SS 2008 comes in at 11 lbs per hp versus 14 lbs per hp for the Princecraft Xpedition 170 BT 2013. 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.