Princecraft Pro 196 2004 vs Princecraft SP 186 Platinum SE 2006 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Princecraft Pro 196 2004 or the Princecraft SP 186 Platinum SE 2006?

For trailering, the Princecraft Pro 196 2004 has the edge at 152 lbs dry weight versus 1 404 lbs for the Princecraft SP 186 Platinum SE 2006. 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.

Q: Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Princecraft Pro 196 2004 is rated to a maximum of 200 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Princecraft SP 186 Platinum SE 2006 tops out at 175 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.

Q: How many people can each boat hold?

The Princecraft Pro 196 2004 is Coast Guard rated for 9 passengers, while the Princecraft SP 186 Platinum SE 2006 is certified for 8. 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.

Q: Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Princecraft Pro 196 2004 measures 96" wide, compared to 94" for the Princecraft SP 186 Platinum SE 2006. 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.

Q: How do the fuel tanks compare on the Princecraft Pro 196 2004 and Princecraft SP 186 Platinum SE 2006?

Both boats carry similar fuel loads — 6 gallons and 6 gallons respectively. Range will depend heavily on motor choice, throttle usage, and whether you're on flat lake water or coastal chop.

Q: Are the Princecraft Pro 196 2004 and Princecraft SP 186 Platinum SE 2006 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Princecraft Pro 196 2004 and the Princecraft SP 186 Platinum SE 2006 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.

Boat Comparison

Princecraft Pro 196 2004 vs Princecraft SP 186 Platinum SE 2006

Princecraft

Princecraft Pro 196 2004

2004

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Princecraft

Princecraft SP 186 Platinum SE 2006

2006

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Princecraft Pro 196 2004 vs Princecraft SP 186 Platinum SE 2006 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Princecraft Pro 196 2004 vs Princecraft SP 186 Platinum SE 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 200 hp, the Princecraft Pro 196 2004 has a 25-hp advantage over the Princecraft SP 186 Platinum SE 2006's 175-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Both carry nearly identical fuel loads — 6 gal and 6 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Princecraft Pro 196 2004 is rated for 9 passengers, while the Princecraft SP 186 Platinum SE 2006 caps at 8. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Princecraft Pro 196 2004 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Princecraft Pro 196 2004 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 9 passengers and at 0,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Princecraft SP 186 Platinum SE 2006 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

ModelPro 196

ModelSP 186 Platinum SE

Model Year2004

Model Year2006

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam96 in

Beam94 in. (2.4 m)

Beam - Meters2.44

Beam - Meters2.39

Beam - Inches96

Beam - Inches94

Draft [max] - Detail31 in

Draft [max] - Detail31 in. (0.8 m)

Draft [max] - Meters0.79

Draft [max] - Inches31

Weight - Detail1520 lbs

Weight - Detail1,404 lbs. (637 kg)

Weight - kg689.46

Weight - kg636.84

Weight - lbs.152

Weight - lbs.1404

Height - Detail46 in

Height - Detailnot available

Height - Meters1.17

Height - Metersnot available

Height - Inches46

Height - Inchesnot available

Height [transom]25 in

Height [transom]25 in. (0.6 m)

Length overall - Detail19 ft. 6 in

Length overall - Detail18 ft. 4 in. (5.6 m)

Length overall - Meters5.94

Length overall - Meters5.59

Length overall - Inches234

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 in. (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 - Detail60 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Detail60 gal. (227 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters227.12

Fuel tank capacity - Gal6

Engine max200 HP

Engine max175 hp (131 kw)

Fuel typenot available

Fuel typeGas

Drive typenot available

Drive typeOutboard

Operational Info

Maximum capacity1915 lbs

Maximum capacity1,784 lbs. (809 kg)

Maximum people9 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 Black Painted Bunk Style Trailer

Trailer - Weightnot available

Trailer - Weight571 lbs. (259 kg)

Princecraft Pro 196 2004 vs Princecraft SP 186 Platinum SE 2006 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Princecraft Pro 196 2004 or the Princecraft SP 186 Platinum SE 2006?

For trailering, the Princecraft Pro 196 2004 has the edge at 152 lbs dry weight versus 1 404 lbs for the Princecraft SP 186 Platinum SE 2006. 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 196 2004 is rated to a maximum of 200 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Princecraft SP 186 Platinum SE 2006 tops out at 175 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 196 2004 is Coast Guard rated for 9 passengers, while the Princecraft SP 186 Platinum SE 2006 is certified for 8. 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 196 2004 measures 96" wide, compared to 94" for the Princecraft SP 186 Platinum SE 2006. 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.

How do the fuel tanks compare on the Princecraft Pro 196 2004 and Princecraft SP 186 Platinum SE 2006?

Both boats carry similar fuel loads — 6 gallons and 6 gallons respectively. Range will depend heavily on motor choice, throttle usage, and whether you're on flat lake water or coastal chop.

Are the Princecraft Pro 196 2004 and Princecraft SP 186 Platinum SE 2006 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Princecraft Pro 196 2004 and the Princecraft SP 186 Platinum SE 2006 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.

← Princecraft Pro 196 2004 full specs ← Princecraft SP 186 Platinum SE 2006 full specs