Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Princecraft Pro 185 GL 2008 vs Princecraft Vision 23 L 2008: Same Brand, Different Boat
The Princecraft Pro 185 GL 2008 is a modified-V design and the Princecraft Vision 23 L 2008 is a pontoon design, so you're likely deciding between two noticeably different on-water experiences. Hull type shapes everything from ride quality and fuel burn to dock handling and resale trajectory.
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Princecraft Vision 23 L 2008 measures 23,0 feet overall (2008), giving it roughly 5,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Princecraft Pro 185 GL 2008 at 18,0 feet (2008). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Princecraft Vision 23 L 2008 tips the scales at 1 875 lbs - 385 lbs less than the Princecraft Pro 185 GL 2008 at 1 490 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 175 hp, the Princecraft Pro 185 GL 2008 has a 60-hp advantage over the Princecraft Vision 23 L 2008's 115-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 185 GL 2008 carries 40 gallons versus 33 gallons in the Princecraft Vision 23 L 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 Vision 23 L 2008 is rated for 12 passengers, while the Princecraft Pro 185 GL 2008 caps at 8. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Princecraft Vision 23 L 2008 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Princecraft Vision 23 L 2008 if your priority is putting more people on the water - it handles 12 passengers and at 23,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Princecraft Pro 185 GL 2008 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 8 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
MakePrincecraft
MakePrincecraft
ModelPro 185 GL
ModelVision 23 L
Model Year2008
Model Year2008
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam95 in. (2.4 m)
Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.6 m)
Beam - Meters2.41
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Inches95
Beam - Inches102
Depth - Detail46 in. (1.2 m)
Depth - Detailnot available
Depth - Centimeters116.84
Depth - Centimetersnot available
Depth - Inches46
Depth - Inchesnot available
Draft [max] - Detail33 in. (0.8 m)
Draft [max] - Detailnot available
Draft [max] - Meters0.84
Draft [max] - Metersnot available
Draft [max] - Inches33
Draft [max] - Inchesnot available
Weight - Detail1,490 lbs. (676 kg)
Weight - Detail1,875 lbs. (850 kg)
Weight - kg675.85
Weight - kg850.49
Weight - lbs.1490
Weight - lbs.1875
Width [transom] - Detail80 in. (2.0 m)
Width [transom] - Detailnot available
Height [transom]25 in. (0.6 m)
Height [transom]not available
Length - Meters5.6
Length - Meters7.1
Length - Feet18
Length - Feet23
Length - Inches6
Length - Inches2
Length overall - Detail18 ft. 6 in. (5.6 m)
Length overall - Detail23 ft. 2 in. (7.1 m)
Length overall - Meters5.64
Length overall - Meters7.06
Length overall - Inches222
Length overall - Inches278
Length [at waterline]not available
Length [at waterline]Pontoon: 22 ft. 4 in. (6.8 m)
Length [deck]not available
Length [deck]22 ft. 7 in. (6.9 m)
Body / Hull
Hull materialAluminum
Hull materialAluminum
Hull thicknessBottom: 0.110 in. (2.8 mm); Side: 0.072 in. (1.8 mm)
Hull thicknessnot available
Hull typeModified Vee
Hull typePontoon
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail40 gal. (151 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail33 gal. (125 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters151.42
Fuel tank capacity - Liters124.92
Fuel tank capacity - Gal40
Fuel tank capacity - Gal33
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeOutboard
Engine max175 hp (131 kW)
Engine max115 hp (86 kg)
Operational Info
Maximum capacityPerson: 1,158 lbs. (525 kg); Total: 1,902 lbs. (863 kg)
Maximum capacityPerson: 1,635 lbs. (742 kg); Total: 2,375 lbs. (1,077 kg)
Maximum people8
Maximum people12
Pontoon and Inflatable Specific
Tube diameternot available
Tube diameter25 in. (0.64 m)
Tube gaugenot available
Tube gauge0.08 in. (2 mm)
Number of tubesnot available
Number of tubes2