Princecraft Resorter DLX BT 2008 boat specs
Princecraft
Princecraft Resorter DLX BT 2008
2008
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VS
Princecraft Tournament SP 178 SC SE 2005 boat specs
Princecraft
Princecraft Tournament SP 178 SC SE 2005
2005
View full specs →

Princecraft Resorter DLX BT 2008 vs Princecraft Tournament SP 178 SC SE 2005 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Princecraft Resorter DLX BT 2008 vs Princecraft Tournament SP 178 SC SE 2005 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.

On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Princecraft Resorter DLX BT 2008 at 14,0 ft versus Princecraft Tournament SP 178 SC SE 2005 at 17,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Princecraft Tournament SP 178 SC SE 2005 tips the scales at 1 165 lbs — 1 161 lbs less than the Princecraft Resorter DLX BT 2008 at 4 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 Tournament SP 178 SC SE 2005 has a 120-hp advantage over the Princecraft Resorter DLX BT 2008's 30-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 Tournament SP 178 SC SE 2005 is rated for 6 passengers, while the Princecraft Resorter DLX BT 2008 caps at 5. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Princecraft Tournament SP 178 SC SE 2005 could be the deciding factor.

At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Princecraft Resorter DLX BT 2008 comes in at 0 lbs per hp versus 8 lbs per hp for the Princecraft Tournament SP 178 SC SE 2005. 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 Tournament SP 178 SC SE 2005 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 6 passengers and at 17,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Princecraft Resorter DLX BT 2008 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
ModelResorter DLX BT
ModelTournament SP 178 SC SE
Model Year2008
Model Year2005
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam73 in. (1.9 m)
Beam92 in. (2.3 m)
Beam - Meters1.85
Beam - Meters2.34
Beam - Inches73
Beam - Inches92
Depth - Detail29 in. (0.7 m)
Depth - Detail40 in. (1.0 m)
Depth - Centimeters73.66
Depth - Centimeters101.6
Depth - Inches29
Depth - Inches4
Draft [max] - Detail17 in. (0.4 m)
Draft [max] - Detail31 in. (0.8 m)
Draft [max] - Meters0.43
Draft [max] - Meters0.79
Draft [max] - Inches17
Draft [max] - Inches31
Weight - Detail400 lbs. (181 kg)
Weight - Detail1,165 lbs. (528 kg)
Weight - kg181.44
Weight - kg528.43
Weight - lbs.4
Weight - lbs.1165
Width [transom] - Detail63 in. (1.6 m)
Width [transom] - Detail75 in. (1.9 m)
Height [transom]20 in. (0.5 m)
Height [transom]20 in. (0.5 m)
Length - Meters4.4
Length - Meters5.3
Length - Feet14
Length - Feet17
Length - Inches6
Length - Inches5
Length overall - Detail14 ft. 6 in. (4.4 m)
Length overall - Detail17 ft. 5 in. (5.3 m)
Length overall - Meters4.42
Length overall - Meters5.31
Length overall - Inches174
Length overall - Inches209
Body / Hull
Hull materialAluminum
Hull materialnot available
Hull thicknessBottom: 0.072 in. (1.8 mm) Side: 0.064 in. (1.6 mm)
Hull thicknessBottom: .100 in. (2.5 mm) Side: .072 in. (1.8 mm)
Hull typeModified Vee
Hull typenot available
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - DetailPortable
Fuel tank capacity - Detail35 gal. Built-in (132 l)
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typenot available
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeOutboard
Engine max30 hp (24 kW)
Engine max150 hp (112 kw)
Fuel tank capacity - Litersnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Liters132.49
Fuel tank capacity - Galnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Gal35
Operational Info
Maximum capacityPerson: 617 lbs. (280 kg) Total: 1,035 lbs. (469 kg)
Maximum capacity1,488 lbs. (675 kg)
Maximum people5
Maximum people6

Princecraft Resorter DLX BT 2008 vs Princecraft Tournament SP 178 SC SE 2005 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Princecraft Resorter DLX BT 2008 or the Princecraft Tournament SP 178 SC SE 2005?
The Princecraft Tournament SP 178 SC SE 2005 is the longer of the two at 17,0 feet overall. The Princecraft Resorter DLX BT 2008 comes in at 14,0 feet, making it roughly 3,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.
Which is easier to trailer — the Princecraft Resorter DLX BT 2008 or the Princecraft Tournament SP 178 SC SE 2005?
For trailering, the Princecraft Resorter DLX BT 2008 has the edge at 4 lbs dry weight versus 1 165 lbs for the Princecraft Tournament SP 178 SC SE 2005. 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 Tournament SP 178 SC SE 2005 is rated to a maximum of 150 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Princecraft Resorter DLX BT 2008 tops out at 30 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 Resorter DLX BT 2008 is Coast Guard rated for 5 passengers, while the Princecraft Tournament SP 178 SC SE 2005 is certified for 6. 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 Resorter DLX BT 2008 has a better power-to-weight ratio at 0 lbs per hp compared to 8 lbs per hp for the Princecraft Tournament SP 178 SC SE 2005. 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 Tournament SP 178 SC SE 2005 measures 92" wide, compared to 73" for the Princecraft Resorter DLX BT 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 Resorter DLX BT 2008 and Princecraft Tournament SP 178 SC SE 2005 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Princecraft Resorter DLX BT 2008 and the Princecraft Tournament SP 178 SC SE 2005 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.