Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Princecraft Pro 179 LX 2004 vs Princecraft SP 186 Platinum 2006 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The Princecraft Pro 179 LX 2004 vs Princecraft SP 186 Platinum 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.
The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 175 hp, the Princecraft SP 186 Platinum 2006 has a 40-hp advantage over the Princecraft Pro 179 LX 2004's 135-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 179 LX 2004 carries 35 gallons versus 6 gallons in the Princecraft SP 186 Platinum 2006. 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 SP 186 Platinum 2006 is rated for 8 passengers, while the Princecraft Pro 179 LX 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 SP 186 Platinum 2006 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Princecraft SP 186 Platinum 2006 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 179 LX 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 LX
ModelSP 186 Platinum
Model Year2004
Model Year2006
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam92 in
Beam94 in. (2.4 m)
Beam - Meters2.34
Beam - Meters2.39
Beam - Inches92
Beam - Inches94
Draft [max] - Detail31 in
Draft [max] - Detail31 in. ((0.8 m)
Draft [max] - Meters0.79
Draft [max] - Meters0.79
Draft [max] - Inches31
Draft [max] - Inches31
Weight - Detail1129 lbs
Weight - Detail1,390 lbs. (630 kg)
Weight - kg512.11
Weight - kg630.49
Weight - lbs.1129
Weight - lbs.139
Height - Detail35 in
Height - Detailnot available
Height - Meters0.89
Height - Metersnot available
Height - Inches35
Height - Inchesnot available
Height [transom]20 in
Height [transom]20 in. (0.5 m)
Length overall - Detail17 ft. 10 in
Length overall - Detail18 ft. 4 in. (5.6 m)
Length overall - Meters5.44
Length overall - Meters5.59
Length overall - Inches214
Length overall - Inches22
Depth - Detailnot available
Depth - Detail43 in. (1.1 m)
Depth - Centimetersnot available
Depth - Centimeters109.22
Depth - Inchesnot available
Depth - Inches43
Width [transom] - Detailnot available
Width [transom] - Detail76 im. (1.9 m)
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Meters5.6
Length - Feetnot available
Length - Feet18
Length - Inchesnot available
Length - Inches4
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail35 gal
Fuel tank capacity - Detail60 gal. (227 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters132.49
Fuel tank capacity - Liters227.12
Fuel tank capacity - Gal35
Fuel tank capacity - Gal6
Engine max135 HP
Engine max175 hp (131 kw)
Fuel typenot available
Fuel typeGas
Drive typenot available
Drive typeOutboard
Operational Info
Maximum capacity1280 lbs
Maximum capacity1,784 lbs. (809 kg)
Maximum people5 Persons
Maximum people8
Body / Hull
Hull thicknessnot available
Hull thicknessBottom: .100 in. (2.5 mm) Side: .072 in. (1.8 mm)
Trailer Info
Trailer - Detailnot available
Trailer - DetailStandard Painted Bunk Style Trailer
Trailer - Weightnot available
Trailer - Weight571 lbs. (259 kg)