Princecraft SP 178 SC SE 2006 boat specs
Princecraft
Princecraft SP 178 SC SE 2006
2006
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VS
Princecraft Vantage 25-4S 2013 boat specs
Princecraft
Princecraft Vantage 25-4S 2013
2013
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Princecraft SP 178 SC SE 2006 vs Princecraft Vantage 25-4S 2013 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Princecraft SP 178 SC SE 2006 vs Princecraft Vantage 25-4S 2013 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.

Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Princecraft Vantage 25-4S 2013 measures 25,8 feet overall (2013), giving it roughly 8,8 additional feet of deck space compared to the Princecraft SP 178 SC SE 2006 at 17,0 feet (2006). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Princecraft Vantage 25-4S 2013 tips the scales at 2 245 lbs — 2 128 lbs less than the Princecraft SP 178 SC SE 2006 at 117 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 175 hp, the Princecraft Vantage 25-4S 2013 has a 25-hp advantage over the Princecraft SP 178 SC SE 2006's 150-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Princecraft SP 178 SC SE 2006 carries 35 gallons versus 27 gallons in the Princecraft Vantage 25-4S 2013. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Princecraft Vantage 25-4S 2013 is rated for 11 passengers, while the Princecraft SP 178 SC SE 2006 caps at 6. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Princecraft Vantage 25-4S 2013 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Princecraft Vantage 25-4S 2013 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 11 passengers and at 25,8 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Princecraft SP 178 SC SE 2006 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 6 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
MakePrincecraft
MakePrincecraft
ModelSP 178 SC SE
ModelVantage 25-4S
Model Year2006
Model Year2013
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam92 in. (2.3 m)
Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.6 m)
Beam - Meters2.34
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Inches92
Beam - Inches102
Depth - Detail40 in. (1.0 m)
Depth - Detailnot available
Depth - Centimeters101.6
Depth - Centimetersnot available
Depth - Inches4
Depth - Inchesnot available
Draft [max] - Detail31 in. (0.8 m)
Draft [max] - Detailnot available
Draft [max] - Meters0.79
Draft [max] - Metersnot available
Draft [max] - Inches31
Draft [max] - Inchesnot available
Weight - Detail1,170 lbs. (531 kg)
Weight - Detail2,245 lbs. (1,018 kg)
Weight - kg530.7
Weight - kg1018.31
Weight - lbs.117
Weight - lbs.2245
Width [transom] - Detail75 in. (1.9 m)
Width [transom] - Detailnot available
Height [transom]25 in. (0.6 m)
Height [transom]not available
Length - Meters5.3
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Feet17
Length - Feet25.75
Length - Inches5
Length - Inchesnot available
Length overall - Detail17 ft. 5 in. (5.3 m)
Length overall - Detail25 ft. 9 in. (7.8 m)
Length overall - Meters5.31
Length overall - Meters7.85
Length overall - Inches209
Length overall - Inches309
Length [at waterline]not available
Length [at waterline]24 ft. 4 in. (7.4 m) pontoon
Length [deck]not available
Length [deck]24 ft. 8 in. (7.5 m)
Body / Hull
Hull thicknessBottom: .100 in. (2.5 mm) Side: .072 in. (1.8 mm)
Hull thicknessnot available
Hull materialnot available
Hull materialAluminum
Hull typenot available
Hull typePontoon
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail35 gal. (132 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail27 gal. (102 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters132.49
Fuel tank capacity - Liters102.21
Fuel tank capacity - Gal35
Fuel tank capacity - Gal27
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typeGas
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeOutboard
Engine max150 hp (112 kw)
Engine max175 hp (131 kW)
Operational Info
Maximum capacity1,488 lbs. (675 kg)
Maximum capacity2,399 lbs. (1,088 kg)
Maximum people6
Maximum people11 / 1,755 lbs. (796 kg)
Trailer Info
Trailer - DetailStandard Black Painted Bunk Style Trailer
Trailer - Detailnot available
Trailer - Weight503 lbs. (228 kg)
Trailer - Weightnot available
Pontoon and Inflatable Specific
Tube diameternot available
Tube diameter25 in. (0.64 m)
Tube gaugenot available
Tube gauge0.08 in. (2 mm)

Princecraft SP 178 SC SE 2006 vs Princecraft Vantage 25-4S 2013 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Princecraft SP 178 SC SE 2006 or the Princecraft Vantage 25-4S 2013?
The Princecraft Vantage 25-4S 2013 is the longer of the two at 25,8 feet overall. The Princecraft SP 178 SC SE 2006 comes in at 17,0 feet, making it roughly 8,8 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.
Which is easier to trailer — the Princecraft SP 178 SC SE 2006 or the Princecraft Vantage 25-4S 2013?
For trailering, the Princecraft SP 178 SC SE 2006 has the edge at 117 lbs dry weight versus 2 245 lbs for the Princecraft Vantage 25-4S 2013. 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 Vantage 25-4S 2013 is rated to a maximum of 175 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Princecraft SP 178 SC SE 2006 tops out at 150 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 SP 178 SC SE 2006 is Coast Guard rated for 6 passengers, while the Princecraft Vantage 25-4S 2013 is certified for 11. 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 Vantage 25-4S 2013 measures 102" wide, compared to 92" for the Princecraft SP 178 SC SE 2006. 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.
Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Princecraft SP 178 SC SE 2006 or the Princecraft Vantage 25-4S 2013?
The Princecraft SP 178 SC SE 2006 has the bigger tank at 35 gallons, versus 27 gallons on the Princecraft Vantage 25-4S 2013. That 8-gallon difference translates to roughly 24–40 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.
Are the Princecraft SP 178 SC SE 2006 and Princecraft Vantage 25-4S 2013 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Princecraft SP 178 SC SE 2006 and the Princecraft Vantage 25-4S 2013 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.