Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Princecraft Pro 179 LX 2004 vs Princecraft Sportfisher 20 L4S 2008 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The Princecraft Pro 179 LX 2004 vs Princecraft Sportfisher 20 L4S 2008 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 LX 2004 has a 45-hp advantage over the Princecraft Sportfisher 20 L4S 2008's 90-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 18 gallons in the Princecraft Sportfisher 20 L4S 2008. 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 Sportfisher 20 L4S 2008 is rated for 11 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 Sportfisher 20 L4S 2008 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Princecraft Sportfisher 20 L4S 2008 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 11 passengers and at 2,0 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
ModelSportfisher 20 L4S
Model Year2004
Model Year2008
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam92 in
Beam8 ft. 0 in. (2.4 m)
Beam - Meters2.34
Beam - Meters2.44
Beam - Inches92
Beam - Inches96
Draft [max] - Detail31 in
Draft [max] - Detailnot available
Draft [max] - Meters0.79
Draft [max] - Metersnot available
Draft [max] - Inches31
Draft [max] - Inchesnot available
Weight - Detail1129 lbs
Weight - Detail1,580 lbs. (717 kg)
Weight - kg512.11
Weight - kg716.68
Weight - lbs.1129
Weight - lbs.158
Height - Detail35 in
Height - Detailnot available
Height - Meters0.89
Height - Metersnot available
Height - Inches35
Height - Inchesnot available
Height [transom]20 in
Height [transom]not available
Length overall - Detail17 ft. 10 in
Length overall - Detail20 ft. 4 in. (6.2 m)
Length overall - Meters5.44
Length overall - Meters6.2
Length overall - Inches214
Length overall - Inches244
Length [at waterline]not available
Length [at waterline]Pontoon: 20 ft. 4 in. (6.2 m)
Length [deck]not available
Length [deck]20 ft. 0 in. (6.1 m)
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Meters6.2
Length - Feetnot available
Length - Feet2
Length - Inchesnot available
Length - Inches4
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail35 gal
Fuel tank capacity - Detail18 gal. (68 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters132.49
Fuel tank capacity - Liters68.14
Fuel tank capacity - Gal35
Fuel tank capacity - Gal18
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 people11
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