Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Princecraft PW 1655 2011 vs Princecraft Vantage 21 2012 — Same Brand, Different Boat
Matching a modified vee Princecraft PW 1655 2011 against a pontoon Princecraft Vantage 21 2012 means you're likely deciding between two genuinely 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 21 2012 measures 21,8 feet overall (2012), giving it roughly 5,3 additional feet of deck space compared to the Princecraft PW 1655 2011 at 16,4 feet (2011). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Princecraft Vantage 21 2012 tips the scales at 1 843 lbs — 1 185 lbs less than the Princecraft PW 1655 2011 at 658 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 90 hp, the Princecraft Vantage 21 2012 has a 40-hp advantage over the Princecraft PW 1655 2011's 50-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Princecraft Vantage 21 2012 is rated for 9 passengers, while the Princecraft PW 1655 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 21 2012 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Princecraft Vantage 21 2012 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 9 passengers and at 21,8 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Princecraft PW 1655 2011 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 5 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
MakePrincecraft
MakePrincecraft
ModelPW 1655
ModelVantage 21
Model Year2011
Model Year2012
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam79 in. (2.01 m)
Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.6 m)
Beam - Meters2.01
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Inches79
Beam - Inches102
Depth - DetailSide: 25 in. (0.64 m)
Depth - Detailnot available
Depth - Centimeters63.5
Depth - Centimetersnot available
Depth - Inches25
Depth - Inchesnot available
Weight - Detail658 lbs. (298 kg)
Weight - Detail1,843 lbs. (836 kg)
Weight - kg298.46
Weight - kg835.97
Weight - lbs.658
Weight - lbs.1843
Width [transom] - Detail55 in. (1.4 m)
Width [transom] - Detailnot available
Height [transom]20 in. (0.51 m)
Height [transom]not available
Length - Feet16.42
Length - Feet21.75
Length overall - Detail16 ft. 5 in. (5 m)
Length overall - Detail21 ft. 9 in. (6.6 m)
Length overall - Meters5
Length overall - Meters6.63
Length overall - Inches197
Length overall - Inches261
Length [deck]not available
Length [deck]20 ft. 8 in. (6.3 m)
Body / Hull
Hull materialAluminum
Hull materialAluminum
Hull thickness0.100 in. (2.5 mm)
Hull thicknessnot available
Hull typeModified Vee
Hull typePontoon
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - DetailPortable
Fuel tank capacity - Detail31 gal. (117 l)
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeOutboard
Engine max50 hp (37 kW)
Engine max90 hp (67 kW)
Fuel tank capacity - Litersnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Liters117.35
Fuel tank capacity - Galnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Gal31
Operational Info
Maximum capacity1,360 lbs. (617 kg)
Maximum capacity1,819 lbs. (825 kg)
Maximum people5 / 750 lbs. (340 kg)
Maximum people9 / 1,217 lbs. (522 kg)
Pontoon and Inflatable Specific
Tube diameternot available
Tube diameter25 in. (0.64 m)
Tube gaugenot available
Tube gauge0.080 in. (2 mm)
Number of tubesnot available
Number of tubes2