Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Princecraft Pro 179 LX SC 2005 vs Princecraft PW 1860 2011 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The Princecraft Pro 179 LX SC 2005 vs Princecraft PW 1860 2011 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 179 LX SC 2005 at 17,0 ft versus Princecraft PW 1860 2011 at 18,4 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Princecraft Pro 179 LX SC 2005 tips the scales at 1 129 lbs — 1 044 lbs more than the Princecraft PW 1860 2011 at 85 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 135 hp, the Princecraft Pro 179 LX SC 2005 has a 75-hp advantage over the Princecraft PW 1860 2011's 60-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Princecraft PW 1860 2011 is rated for 7 passengers, while the Princecraft Pro 179 LX SC 2005 caps at 4. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Princecraft PW 1860 2011 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Princecraft PW 1860 2011 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 7 passengers and at 18,4 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Princecraft Pro 179 LX SC 2005 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 4 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
MakePrincecraft
MakePrincecraft
ModelPro 179 LX SC
ModelPW 186
Model Year2005
Model Year2011
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam92 in. (2.3 m)
Beam83.5 in. (2.12 m)
Beam - Meters2.34
Beam - Meters2.13
Beam - Inches92
Beam - Inches83.5
Depth - Detail35 in. (0.9 m)
Depth - DetailSide: 25 in. (0.64 m)
Depth - Centimeters88.9
Depth - Centimeters63.5
Depth - Inches35
Depth - Inches25
Draft [max] - Detail31 in. (0.8 m)
Draft [max] - Detailnot available
Draft [max] - Meters0.79
Draft [max] - Metersnot available
Draft [max] - Inches31
Draft [max] - Inchesnot available
Weight - Detail1,129 lbs. (512 kg)
Weight - Detail850 lbs. (386 kg)
Weight - kg512.11
Weight - kg385.55
Weight - lbs.1129
Weight - lbs.85
Width [transom] - Detail76 in. (1.9 m)
Width [transom] - Detail60 in. (1.52 m)
Height [transom]20 in. (0.5 m)
Height [transom]20 in. (0.51 m)
Length - Meters5.4
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Feet17
Length - Feet18.42
Length - Inches1
Length - Inchesnot available
Length overall - Detail17 ft. 10 in. (5.4 m)
Length overall - Detail18 ft. 5 in. (5.61 m)
Length overall - Meters5.44
Length overall - Meters5.61
Length overall - Inches214
Length overall - Inches221
Body / Hull
Hull thicknessBottom: .110 in. (2.8 mm) Side: .072 in. (1.8 mm)
Hull thickness0.110 in. (2.8 mm)
Hull materialnot available
Hull materialAluminum
Hull typenot available
Hull typeModified Vee
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail35 gal. (132 l)
Fuel tank capacity - DetailPortable
Fuel tank capacity - Liters132.49
Fuel tank capacity - Litersnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Gal35
Fuel tank capacity - Galnot available
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeOutboard
Engine max135 hp (101 kw)
Engine max60 hp (45 kW)
Fuel typenot available
Fuel typeGas
Operational Info
Maximum capacity1,300 lbs. (590 kg)
Maximum capacity1,680 lbs. (762 kg)
Maximum people4
Maximum people7 / 1,078 lbs. (489 kg)