Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Princecraft Pro 196 2004 vs Princecraft Sport 172 SC 2012 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The Princecraft Pro 196 2004 vs Princecraft Sport 172 SC 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.
The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 200 hp, the Princecraft Pro 196 2004 has a 75-hp advantage over the Princecraft Sport 172 SC 2012's 125-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 Sport 172 SC 2012 carries 26 gallons versus 6 gallons in the Princecraft Pro 196 2004. 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 Pro 196 2004 is rated for 9 passengers, while the Princecraft Sport 172 SC 2012 caps at 6. 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 Sport 172 SC 2012 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 6 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
MakePrincecraft
MakePrincecraft
ModelPro 196
ModelSport 172 SC
Model Year2004
Model Year2012
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam96 in
Beam91 in. (2.3 m)
Beam - Meters2.44
Beam - Meters2.31
Beam - Inches96
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 - Detail1520 lbs
Weight - Detail1,174 lbs. (533 kg)
Weight - kg689.46
Weight - kg532.52
Weight - lbs.152
Weight - lbs.1174
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 - Detail17 ft. 5 in. (5.3 m)
Length overall - Meters5.94
Length overall - Meters5.31
Length overall - Inches234
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 - Detail60 gal
Fuel tank capacity - Detail26 gal. (98 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters227.12
Fuel tank capacity - Liters98.42
Fuel tank capacity - Gal6
Fuel tank capacity - Gal26
Engine max200 HP
Engine max125 hp (93 kW)
Fuel typenot available
Fuel typeGas
Drive typenot available
Drive typeOutboard
Operational Info
Maximum capacity1915 lbs
Maximum capacity1,570 lbs. (712 kg)
Maximum people9 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