The Princecraft Pro Series 165 SC 2011 is a modified-V design and the Princecraft Vantage 23 2013 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 Vantage 23 2013 measures 23,8 feet overall (2013), giving it roughly 7,6 additional feet of deck space compared to the Princecraft Pro Series 165 SC 2011 at 16,2 feet (2011). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Princecraft Vantage 23 2013 tips the scales at 2 007 lbs - 1 112 lbs less than the Princecraft Pro Series 165 SC 2011 at 895 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 150 hp, the Princecraft Vantage 23 2013 has a 75-hp advantage over the Princecraft Pro Series 165 SC 2011's 75-hp ceiling - enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Both carry nearly identical fuel loads - 28 gal and 30 gal - so range won't be a tiebreaker here.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Princecraft Vantage 23 2013 is rated for 12 passengers, while the Princecraft Pro Series 165 SC 2011 caps at 5. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Princecraft Vantage 23 2013 could be the deciding factor.