Princecraft Pro 179 LX 2004 boat specs
Princecraft
Princecraft Pro 179 LX 2004
2004
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VS
Princecraft Sport 172 WS 2012 boat specs
Princecraft
Princecraft Sport 172 WS 2012
2012
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Princecraft Pro 179 LX 2004 vs Princecraft Sport 172 WS 2012 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Princecraft Pro 179 LX 2004 vs Princecraft Sport 172 WS 2012 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.

Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling — 135 hp for the Princecraft Pro 179 LX 2004 and 125 hp for the Princecraft Sport 172 WS 2012. Real-world performance will come down more to which motor is actually bolted on, its load at the time, and whether it's a 4-stroke or 2-stroke setup. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Princecraft Pro 179 LX 2004 carries 35 gallons versus 26 gallons in the Princecraft Sport 172 WS 2012. 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 Sport 172 WS 2012 is rated for 6 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 Sport 172 WS 2012 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Princecraft Sport 172 WS 2012 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 6 passengers and at 17,4 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
ModelSport 172 WS
Model Year2004
Model Year2012
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam92 in
Beam91 in. (2.3 m)
Beam - Meters2.34
Beam - Meters2.31
Beam - Inches92
Beam - Inches91
Draft [max] - Detail31 in
Draft [max] - Detail30 in. (0.8 m)
Draft [max] - Meters0.79
Draft [max] - Meters0.76
Draft [max] - Inches31
Draft [max] - Inches3
Weight - Detail1129 lbs
Weight - Detail1,255 lbs. (569 kg)
Weight - kg512.11
Weight - kg569.26
Weight - lbs.1129
Weight - lbs.1255
Height - Detail35 in
Height - Detailnot available
Height - Meters0.89
Height - Metersnot available
Height - Inches35
Height - Inchesnot available
Height [transom]20 in
Height [transom]25 in. (0.6 m)
Length overall - Detail17 ft. 10 in
Length overall - Detail17 ft. 5 in. (5.3 m)
Length overall - Meters5.44
Length overall - Meters5.31
Length overall - Inches214
Length overall - Inches209
Depth - Detailnot available
Depth - Detail39 in. (1.0 m)
Depth - Centimetersnot available
Depth - Centimeters99.06
Depth - Inchesnot available
Depth - Inches39
Width [transom] - Detailnot available
Width [transom] - Detail75 in. (1.9 m)
Length - Feetnot available
Length - Feet17.42
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail35 gal
Fuel tank capacity - Detail26 gal. (98 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters132.49
Fuel tank capacity - Liters98.42
Fuel tank capacity - Gal35
Fuel tank capacity - Gal26
Engine max135 HP
Engine max125 hp (93 kW)
Fuel typenot available
Fuel typeGas
Drive typenot available
Drive typeOutboard
Operational Info
Maximum capacity1280 lbs
Maximum capacity1,570 lbs. (712 kg)
Maximum people5 Persons
Maximum people6 / 830 lbs. (376 kg)
Body / Hull
Hull materialnot available
Hull materialAluminum
Hull thicknessnot available
Hull thicknessBottom: 0.100 in. (2.5 mm) Side: 0.072 in. (1.8 mm)
Hull typenot available
Hull typeDeep Vee

Princecraft Pro 179 LX 2004 vs Princecraft Sport 172 WS 2012 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Princecraft Pro 179 LX 2004 or the Princecraft Sport 172 WS 2012?
For trailering, the Princecraft Pro 179 LX 2004 has the edge at 1 129 lbs dry weight versus 1 255 lbs for the Princecraft Sport 172 WS 2012. Add a motor (typically 300–500 lbs for an outboard in this class), gear, and a partial fuel load and the difference grows. Lighter is friendlier on smaller tow vehicles and on fuel economy while hauling.
Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?
The Princecraft Pro 179 LX 2004 is rated to a maximum of 135 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Princecraft Sport 172 WS 2012 tops out at 125 hp. Keep in mind that maximum ratings are just that — matching the motor to the actual load and usage pattern usually matters more than chasing the ceiling.
How many people can each boat hold?
The Princecraft Pro 179 LX 2004 is Coast Guard rated for 5 passengers, while the Princecraft Sport 172 WS 2012 is certified for 6. Note that legal capacity and comfortable capacity aren't always the same thing — on a full day out, most experienced boaters aim for about 80% of the rated number to keep things comfortable.
Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?
The Princecraft Pro 179 LX 2004 measures 92" wide, compared to 91" for the Princecraft Sport 172 WS 2012. The US standard-width towing limit is 8’6" (102") in most states — anything over that may need a wide-load permit. Confirm your specific route requirements with each state's DOT.
Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Princecraft Pro 179 LX 2004 or the Princecraft Sport 172 WS 2012?
The Princecraft Pro 179 LX 2004 has the bigger tank at 35 gallons, versus 26 gallons on the Princecraft Sport 172 WS 2012. That 9-gallon difference translates to roughly 27–45 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.
Are the Princecraft Pro 179 LX 2004 and Princecraft Sport 172 WS 2012 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Princecraft Pro 179 LX 2004 and the Princecraft Sport 172 WS 2012 are built by Princecraft. That means shared dealer networks, common parts availability, and consistent build quality across the line. The choice between them is essentially a question of how much boat you need, not which brand you trust.