Princecraft PW1860VT 2008 boat specs
Princecraft
Princecraft PW1860VT 2008
2008
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VS
Princecraft Sportfisher 18 L4S 2007 boat specs
Princecraft
Princecraft Sportfisher 18 L4S 2007
2007
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Princecraft PW1860VT 2008 vs Princecraft Sportfisher 18 L4S 2007 — Same Brand, Different Boat

Matching a modified vee Princecraft PW1860VT 2008 against a pontoon Princecraft Sportfisher 18 L4S 2007 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.

On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Princecraft PW1860VT 2008 at 18,0 ft versus Princecraft Sportfisher 18 L4S 2007 at 18,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Princecraft Sportfisher 18 L4S 2007 tips the scales at 1 394 lbs — 799 lbs less than the Princecraft PW1860VT 2008 at 595 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.

Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling — 50 hp for the Princecraft PW1860VT 2008 and 60 hp for the Princecraft Sportfisher 18 L4S 2007. Real-world performance will come down more to which motor is actually bolted on, its load at the time, and whether it's a 4-stroke or 2-stroke setup.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Princecraft Sportfisher 18 L4S 2007 is rated for 9 passengers, while the Princecraft PW1860VT 2008 caps at 7. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Princecraft Sportfisher 18 L4S 2007 could be the deciding factor.

At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Princecraft PW1860VT 2008 comes in at 12 lbs per hp versus 23 lbs per hp for the Princecraft Sportfisher 18 L4S 2007. 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.

Bottom line: Choose the Princecraft Sportfisher 18 L4S 2007 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 9 passengers and at 18,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Princecraft PW1860VT 2008 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 7 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
MakePrincecraft
MakePrincecraft
ModelPW1860VT
ModelSportfisher 18 L4S
Model Year2008
Model Year2007
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam81 in. (2.1 m)
Beam8 ft. 0 in. (2.4 m)
Beam - Meters2.06
Beam - Meters2.44
Beam - Inches81
Beam - Inches96
Depth - Detail21.5 in. (0.55 m)
Depth - Detailnot available
Depth - Centimeters55.88
Depth - Centimetersnot available
Depth - Inches21.5
Depth - Inchesnot available
Weight - Detail595 lbs. (270 kg)
Weight - Detail1,394 lbs. (632 kg)
Weight - kg269.89
Weight - kg632.31
Weight - lbs.595
Weight - lbs.1394
Width [transom] - Detail60 in. (1.5 m)
Width [transom] - Detailnot available
Height [transom]20 in. (0.5 m)
Height [transom]not available
Length - Meters5.49
Length - Meters5.6
Length - Feet18
Length - Feet18
Length overall - Detail18 ft. 0 in. (5.49 m)
Length overall - Detail18 ft. 4 in. (5.6 m)
Length overall - Meters5.49
Length overall - Meters5.59
Length overall - Inches216
Length overall - Inches22
Length [deck]not available
Length [deck]18 ft. 0 in. (5.5 m)
Length - Inchesnot available
Length - Inches4
Body / Hull
Hull materialAluminum
Hull materialAluminum
Hull thicknessHull: 0.100 in. (0.25 cm)
Hull thicknessnot available
Hull typeModified Vee
Hull typePontoon
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - DetailPortable
Fuel tank capacity - DetailPortable
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typeGas
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeOutboard
Engine max50 hp (37 kW)
Engine max60 hp (45 kW)
Operational Info
Maximum capacityPerson: 890 lbs. (404 kg); 1,350 lbs. (612 kg)
Maximum capacityPerson: 1,229 lbs. (557 kg) Total: 1,730 lbs. (785 kg)
Maximum people7
Maximum people9
Pontoon and Inflatable Specific
Tube diameternot available
Tube diameter23 in. (0.58 m)
Tube gaugenot available
Tube gauge0.080 in. (2 mm)
Number of tubesnot available
Number of tubes2

Princecraft PW1860VT 2008 vs Princecraft Sportfisher 18 L4S 2007 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Princecraft PW1860VT 2008 or the Princecraft Sportfisher 18 L4S 2007?
The Princecraft Sportfisher 18 L4S 2007 is the longer of the two at 18,0 feet overall. The Princecraft PW1860VT 2008 comes in at 18,0 feet, making it roughly 0,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.
Which is easier to trailer — the Princecraft PW1860VT 2008 or the Princecraft Sportfisher 18 L4S 2007?
For trailering, the Princecraft PW1860VT 2008 has the edge at 595 lbs dry weight versus 1 394 lbs for the Princecraft Sportfisher 18 L4S 2007. 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 Sportfisher 18 L4S 2007 is rated to a maximum of 60 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Princecraft PW1860VT 2008 tops out at 50 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 PW1860VT 2008 is Coast Guard rated for 7 passengers, while the Princecraft Sportfisher 18 L4S 2007 is certified for 9. 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 has the better power-to-weight ratio?
The Princecraft PW1860VT 2008 has a better power-to-weight ratio at 12 lbs per hp compared to 23 lbs per hp for the Princecraft Sportfisher 18 L4S 2007. A lower number means quicker acceleration and faster time to plane — the number that actually matters most on short, sporty boats like these.
Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?
The Princecraft Sportfisher 18 L4S 2007 measures 96" wide, compared to 81" for the Princecraft PW1860VT 2008. 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.
Are the Princecraft PW1860VT 2008 and Princecraft Sportfisher 18 L4S 2007 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Princecraft PW1860VT 2008 and the Princecraft Sportfisher 18 L4S 2007 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.