Princecraft Pro 196 2005 vs Princecraft Tournament SP 188 BT 2004 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Princecraft Pro 196 2005 or the Princecraft Tournament SP 188 BT 2004?

For trailering, the Princecraft Pro 196 2005 has the edge at 152 lbs dry weight versus 1 192 lbs for the Princecraft Tournament SP 188 BT 2004. 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 2005 is rated to a maximum of 200 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Princecraft Tournament SP 188 BT 2004 tops out at 80 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 2005 is Coast Guard rated for 9 passengers, while the Princecraft Tournament SP 188 BT 2004 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 2005 measures 96" wide, compared to 94" for the Princecraft Tournament SP 188 BT 2004. 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 2005 and Princecraft Tournament SP 188 BT 2004?

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 2005 and Princecraft Tournament SP 188 BT 2004 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Princecraft Pro 196 2005 and the Princecraft Tournament SP 188 BT 2004 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 2005 vs Princecraft Tournament SP 188 BT 2004

Princecraft

Princecraft Pro 196 2005

2005

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Princecraft

Princecraft Tournament SP 188 BT 2004

2004

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Princecraft Pro 196 2005 vs Princecraft Tournament SP 188 BT 2004 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Princecraft Pro 196 2005 vs Princecraft Tournament SP 188 BT 2004 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 2005 has a 120-hp advantage over the Princecraft Tournament SP 188 BT 2004's 80-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 2005 is rated for 9 passengers, while the Princecraft Tournament SP 188 BT 2004 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 2005 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Princecraft Pro 196 2005 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 9 passengers and at 19,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Princecraft Tournament SP 188 BT 2004 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

ModelTournament SP 188 BT

Model Year2005

Model Year2004

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam96 in. (2.4 m)

Beam94 in

Beam - Meters2.44

Beam - Meters2.39

Beam - Inches96

Beam - Inches94

Depth - Detail46 in. (1.2 m)

Depth - Detailnot available

Depth - Centimeters116.84

Depth - Centimetersnot available

Depth - Inches46

Depth - Inchesnot available

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

Draft [max] - Detail31 in

Draft [max] - Meters0.79

Draft [max] - Inches31

Weight - Detail1,520 lbs. (689 kg)

Weight - Detail1192 lbs

Weight - kg689.46

Weight - kg540.68

Weight - lbs.152

Weight - lbs.1192

Width [transom] - Detail80 in. (2.0 m)

Width [transom] - Detailnot available

Height [transom]25 in. (0.6 m)

Height [transom]20 in

Length - Meters5.9

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Feet19

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Inches6

Length - Inchesnot available

Length overall - Detail19 ft. 6 in. (5.9 m)

Length overall - Detail18 ft. 4 in

Length overall - Meters5.94

Length overall - Meters5.59

Length overall - Inches234

Length overall - Inches22

Height - Detailnot available

Height - Detail40 in

Height - Metersnot available

Height - Meters1.02

Height - Inchesnot available

Height - Inches4

Body / Hull

Hull thicknessBottom: .110 in. (2.8 mm) Side: .072 in. (1.8 mm)

Hull thicknessnot available

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail60 gal. Built-in (227 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail60 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Liters227.12

Fuel tank capacity - Gal6

Drive typeOutboard

Drive typenot available

Engine max200 hp (149 kw)

Engine max80 HP

Operational Info

Maximum capacity1,915 lbs. (869 kg)

Maximum capacity1600 lbs

Maximum people9

Maximum people8 Persons

Princecraft Pro 196 2005 vs Princecraft Tournament SP 188 BT 2004 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Princecraft Pro 196 2005 or the Princecraft Tournament SP 188 BT 2004?

For trailering, the Princecraft Pro 196 2005 has the edge at 152 lbs dry weight versus 1 192 lbs for the Princecraft Tournament SP 188 BT 2004. 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 2005 is rated to a maximum of 200 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Princecraft Tournament SP 188 BT 2004 tops out at 80 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 2005 is Coast Guard rated for 9 passengers, while the Princecraft Tournament SP 188 BT 2004 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 2005 measures 96" wide, compared to 94" for the Princecraft Tournament SP 188 BT 2004. 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 2005 and Princecraft Tournament SP 188 BT 2004?

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 2005 and Princecraft Tournament SP 188 BT 2004 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Princecraft Pro 196 2005 and the Princecraft Tournament SP 188 BT 2004 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 2005 full specs ← Princecraft Tournament SP 188 BT 2004 full specs