Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Princecraft Pro 179 DX SC 2004 vs Princecraft Sportfisher 20 LX 2009 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The Princecraft Pro 179 DX SC 2004 vs Princecraft Sportfisher 20 LX 2009 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 135 hp, the Princecraft Pro 179 DX SC 2004 has a 45-hp advantage over the Princecraft Sportfisher 20 LX 2009'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 — 35 gal and 33 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Princecraft Sportfisher 20 LX 2009 is rated for 9 passengers, while the Princecraft Pro 179 DX SC 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 Sportfisher 20 LX 2009 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Princecraft Sportfisher 20 LX 2009 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 9 passengers and at 20,5 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Princecraft Pro 179 DX SC 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 179 DX SC
ModelSportfisher 20 LX
Model Year2004
Model Year2009
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam92 in
Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.6 m)
Beam - Meters2.34
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Inches92
Beam - Inches102
Draft [max] - Detail31 in
Draft [max] - Detailnot available
Draft [max] - Meters0.79
Draft [max] - Metersnot available
Draft [max] - Inches31
Draft [max] - Inchesnot available
Weight - Detail1200 lbs
Weight - Detail1,700 lbs. (771 kg)
Weight - kg544.31
Weight - kg771.11
Weight - lbs.12
Weight - lbs.17
Height - Detail36 in
Height - Detailnot available
Height - Meters0.91
Height - Metersnot available
Height - Inches36
Height - Inchesnot available
Height [transom]20 in
Height [transom]not available
Length overall - Detail17 ft. 10 in
Length overall - Detail20 ft. 6 in. (6.2 m)
Length overall - Meters5.44
Length overall - Meters6.25
Length overall - Inches214
Length overall - Inches246
Length [at waterline]not available
Length [at waterline]20 ft. 4 in. (6.2 m)
Length [deck]not available
Length [deck]20 ft. (6.1 m)
Length - Feetnot available
Length - Feet20.5
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail35 gal
Fuel tank capacity - Detail33 gal. (125 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters132.49
Fuel tank capacity - Liters124.92
Fuel tank capacity - Gal35
Fuel tank capacity - Gal33
Engine max135 HP
Engine max90 hp (67 kW)
Fuel typenot available
Fuel typeGas
Drive typenot available
Drive typeOutboard
Operational Info
Maximum capacity1280 lbs
Maximum capacityPerson: 1,495 lbs. (678 kg) Total: 2,097 lbs. (951 kg)
Maximum people5 Persons
Maximum people9
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