When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Princecraft PW 1655T 2010 and the Princecraft SS 172 2009 are modified vee designs with aluminum construction — the buying decision usually comes down to a handful of practical questions: how many people are you putting on the water, how far do you trailer, and what does your tow vehicle weigh?

On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Princecraft PW 1655T 2010 at 16,4 ft versus Princecraft SS 172 2009 at 17,4 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Princecraft SS 172 2009 tips the scales at 1 225 lbs — 567 lbs less than the Princecraft PW 1655T 2010 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 115 hp, the Princecraft SS 172 2009 has a 65-hp advantage over the Princecraft PW 1655T 2010'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 SS 172 2009 is rated for 6 passengers, while the Princecraft PW 1655T 2010 caps at 5. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Princecraft SS 172 2009 could be the deciding factor.

At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Princecraft SS 172 2009 comes in at 11 lbs per hp versus 13 lbs per hp for the Princecraft PW 1655T 2010. The lower the ratio the more explosive the acceleration — meaningful on a short RIB where bursts of speed, quick planing, and agility in surf or tight waterways define the experience.