Princecraft Scamper 2009 vs Princecraft Tournament SP 188 BT 2004 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Princecraft Scamper 2009 or the Princecraft Tournament SP 188 BT 2004?

For trailering, the Princecraft Scamper 2009 has the edge at 15 lbs dry weight versus 1 192 lbs for the Princecraft Tournament SP 188 BT 2004. 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.

Q: Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Princecraft Tournament SP 188 BT 2004 is rated to a maximum of 80 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Princecraft Scamper 2009 tops out at 15 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.

Q: How many people can each boat hold?

The Princecraft Scamper 2009 is Coast Guard rated for 4 passengers, while the Princecraft Tournament SP 188 BT 2004 is certified for 8. 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.

Q: Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Princecraft Tournament SP 188 BT 2004 measures 94" wide, compared to 58" for the Princecraft Scamper 2009. 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.

Q: Are the Princecraft Scamper 2009 and Princecraft Tournament SP 188 BT 2004 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Princecraft Scamper 2009 and the Princecraft Tournament SP 188 BT 2004 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.

Boat Comparison

Princecraft Scamper 2009 vs Princecraft Tournament SP 188 BT 2004

Princecraft

Princecraft Scamper 2009

2009

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Princecraft

Princecraft Tournament SP 188 BT 2004

2004

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Princecraft Scamper 2009 vs Princecraft Tournament SP 188 BT 2004 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Princecraft Scamper 2009 vs Princecraft Tournament SP 188 BT 2004 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.

The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 80 hp, the Princecraft Tournament SP 188 BT 2004 has a 65-hp advantage over the Princecraft Scamper 2009's 15-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 188 BT 2004 is rated for 8 passengers, while the Princecraft Scamper 2009 caps at 4. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Princecraft Tournament SP 188 BT 2004 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Princecraft Tournament SP 188 BT 2004 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 8 passengers and at 0,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Princecraft Scamper 2009 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 4 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakePrincecraft

ModelScamper

ModelTournament SP 188 BT

Model Year2009

Model Year2004

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam58 in. (1.5 m)

Beam94 in

Beam - Meters1.47

Beam - Meters2.39

Beam - Inches58

Beam - Inches94

Depth - Detail21 in. (0.5 m)

Depth - Detailnot available

Depth - Centimeters53.34

Depth - Centimetersnot available

Depth - Inches21

Depth - Inchesnot available

Draft [max] - Detail13 in. (0.4 m)

Draft [max] - Detail31 in

Draft [max] - Meters0.33

Draft [max] - Meters0.79

Draft [max] - Inches13

Draft [max] - Inches31

Weight - Detail150 lbs. (68 kg)

Weight - Detail1192 lbs

Weight - kg68.04

Weight - kg540.68

Weight - lbs.15

Weight - lbs.1192

Width [transom] - Detail45 in. (1.1 m)

Width [transom] - Detailnot available

Height [transom]15 in. (0.4 m)

Height [transom]20 in

Length - Feet14.33

Length - Feetnot available

Length overall - Detail14 ft. 4 in. (4.3 m)

Length overall - Detail18 ft. 4 in

Length overall - Meters4.37

Length overall - Meters5.59

Length overall - Inches172

Length overall - Inches22

Height - Detailnot available

Height - Detail40 in

Height - Metersnot available

Height - Meters1.02

Height - Inchesnot available

Height - Inches4

Body / Hull

Hull materialAluminum

Hull materialnot available

Hull thicknessBottom & Side: 0.051 in. (1.3 mm)

Hull thicknessnot available

Hull typeModified Vee

Hull typenot available

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - DetailPortable

Fuel tank capacity - Detail60 gal

Fuel typeGas

Fuel typenot available

Drive typeOutboard

Drive typenot available

Engine max15 hp (12 kW)

Engine max80 HP

Fuel tank capacity - Litersnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Liters227.12

Fuel tank capacity - Galnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Gal6

Operational Info

Maximum capacityPerson: 548 lbs. (249 kg) Total: 750 lbs. (340 kg)

Maximum capacity1600 lbs

Maximum people4

Maximum people8 Persons

Princecraft Scamper 2009 vs Princecraft Tournament SP 188 BT 2004 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Princecraft Scamper 2009 or the Princecraft Tournament SP 188 BT 2004?

For trailering, the Princecraft Scamper 2009 has the edge at 15 lbs dry weight versus 1 192 lbs for the Princecraft Tournament SP 188 BT 2004. 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 188 BT 2004 is rated to a maximum of 80 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Princecraft Scamper 2009 tops out at 15 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 Scamper 2009 is Coast Guard rated for 4 passengers, while the Princecraft Tournament SP 188 BT 2004 is certified for 8. 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 is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Princecraft Tournament SP 188 BT 2004 measures 94" wide, compared to 58" for the Princecraft Scamper 2009. 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 Scamper 2009 and Princecraft Tournament SP 188 BT 2004 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Princecraft Scamper 2009 and the Princecraft Tournament SP 188 BT 2004 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.

← Princecraft Scamper 2009 full specs ← Princecraft Tournament SP 188 BT 2004 full specs