Princecraft SP 186 Platinum 2006 vs Princecraft Vantage 20 L 2007 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Princecraft SP 186 Platinum 2006 or the Princecraft Vantage 20 L 2007?

The Princecraft SP 186 Platinum 2006 is the longer of the two at 18,0 feet overall. The Princecraft Vantage 20 L 2007 comes in at 2,0 feet, making it roughly 16,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Princecraft SP 186 Platinum 2006 or the Princecraft Vantage 20 L 2007?

For trailering, the Princecraft SP 186 Platinum 2006 has the edge at 139 lbs dry weight versus 1 775 lbs for the Princecraft Vantage 20 L 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.

Q: Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Princecraft SP 186 Platinum 2006 is rated to a maximum of 175 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Princecraft Vantage 20 L 2007 tops out at 90 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 SP 186 Platinum 2006 is Coast Guard rated for 8 passengers, while the Princecraft Vantage 20 L 2007 is certified for 1. 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 has the better power-to-weight ratio?

The Princecraft SP 186 Platinum 2006 has a better power-to-weight ratio at 1 lbs per hp compared to 20 lbs per hp for the Princecraft Vantage 20 L 2007. A lower number means quicker acceleration and faster time to plane — the number that actually matters most on short, sporty boats like these.

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

The Princecraft Vantage 20 L 2007 measures 102" wide, compared to 94" for the Princecraft SP 186 Platinum 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.

Q: Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Princecraft SP 186 Platinum 2006 or the Princecraft Vantage 20 L 2007?

The Princecraft Vantage 20 L 2007 has the bigger tank at 33 gallons, versus 6 gallons on the Princecraft SP 186 Platinum 2006. That 27-gallon difference translates to roughly 81–135 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Princecraft SP 186 Platinum 2006 and Princecraft Vantage 20 L 2007 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Princecraft SP 186 Platinum 2006 and the Princecraft Vantage 20 L 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.

Boat Comparison

Princecraft SP 186 Platinum 2006 vs Princecraft Vantage 20 L 2007

Princecraft

Princecraft SP 186 Platinum 2006

2006

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Princecraft

Princecraft Vantage 20 L 2007

2007

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Princecraft SP 186 Platinum 2006 vs Princecraft Vantage 20 L 2007 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Princecraft SP 186 Platinum 2006 vs Princecraft Vantage 20 L 2007 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 SP 186 Platinum 2006 measures 18,0 feet overall (2006), giving it roughly 16,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Princecraft Vantage 20 L 2007 at 2,0 feet (2007). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Princecraft Vantage 20 L 2007 tips the scales at 1 775 lbs — 1 636 lbs less than the Princecraft SP 186 Platinum 2006 at 139 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 SP 186 Platinum 2006 has a 85-hp advantage over the Princecraft Vantage 20 L 2007's 90-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 Vantage 20 L 2007 carries 33 gallons versus 6 gallons in the Princecraft SP 186 Platinum 2006. 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 SP 186 Platinum 2006 is rated for 8 passengers, while the Princecraft Vantage 20 L 2007 caps at 1. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Princecraft SP 186 Platinum 2006 could be the deciding factor.

At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Princecraft SP 186 Platinum 2006 comes in at 1 lbs per hp versus 20 lbs per hp for the Princecraft Vantage 20 L 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 SP 186 Platinum 2006 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 8 passengers and at 18,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Princecraft Vantage 20 L 2007 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 1 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakePrincecraft

ModelSP 186 Platinum

ModelVantage 20 L

Model Year2006

Model Year2007

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam94 in. (2.4 m)

Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.6 m)

Beam - Meters2.39

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Inches94

Beam - Inches102

Depth - Detail43 in. (1.1 m)

Depth - Detailnot available

Depth - Centimeters109.22

Depth - Centimetersnot available

Depth - Inches43

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 - Detail1,390 lbs. (630 kg)

Weight - Detail1,775 lbs. (805 kg)

Weight - kg630.49

Weight - kg805.13

Weight - lbs.139

Weight - lbs.1775

Width [transom] - Detail76 im. (1.9 m)

Width [transom] - Detailnot available

Height [transom]20 in. (0.5 m)

Height [transom]not available

Length - Meters5.6

Length - Meters6.6

Length - Feet18

Length - Feet2

Length - Inches4

Length - Inches1

Length overall - Detail18 ft. 4 in. (5.6 m)

Length overall - Detail20 ft. 10 in. (6.6 m)

Length overall - Meters5.59

Length overall - Meters6.35

Length overall - Inches22

Length overall - Inches25

Length [deck]not available

Length [deck]20 ft. 0 in. (6.1 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 - Detail60 gal. (227 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail33 gal. (125 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters227.12

Fuel tank capacity - Liters124.92

Fuel tank capacity - Gal6

Fuel tank capacity - Gal33

Fuel typeGas

Drive typeOutboard

Engine max175 hp (131 kw)

Engine max90 hp (67 kW)

Operational Info

Maximum capacity1,784 lbs. (809 kg)

Maximum capacityPerson: 1,450 lbs. (658 kg) Total: 2,052 lbs. (931 kg)

Maximum people8

Maximum people1

Trailer Info

Trailer - DetailStandard Painted Bunk Style Trailer

Trailer - Detailnot available

Trailer - Weight571 lbs. (259 kg)

Trailer - Weightnot available

Pontoon and Inflatable Specific

Tube diameternot available

Tube diameter25 in. (0.64 m)

Tube gaugenot available

Tube gauge0.080 in. (2 mm)

Number of tubesnot available

Number of tubes2

Princecraft SP 186 Platinum 2006 vs Princecraft Vantage 20 L 2007 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Princecraft SP 186 Platinum 2006 or the Princecraft Vantage 20 L 2007?

The Princecraft SP 186 Platinum 2006 is the longer of the two at 18,0 feet overall. The Princecraft Vantage 20 L 2007 comes in at 2,0 feet, making it roughly 16,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which is easier to trailer — the Princecraft SP 186 Platinum 2006 or the Princecraft Vantage 20 L 2007?

For trailering, the Princecraft SP 186 Platinum 2006 has the edge at 139 lbs dry weight versus 1 775 lbs for the Princecraft Vantage 20 L 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 SP 186 Platinum 2006 is rated to a maximum of 175 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Princecraft Vantage 20 L 2007 tops out at 90 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 186 Platinum 2006 is Coast Guard rated for 8 passengers, while the Princecraft Vantage 20 L 2007 is certified for 1. 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 SP 186 Platinum 2006 has a better power-to-weight ratio at 1 lbs per hp compared to 20 lbs per hp for the Princecraft Vantage 20 L 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 Vantage 20 L 2007 measures 102" wide, compared to 94" for the Princecraft SP 186 Platinum 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 186 Platinum 2006 or the Princecraft Vantage 20 L 2007?

The Princecraft Vantage 20 L 2007 has the bigger tank at 33 gallons, versus 6 gallons on the Princecraft SP 186 Platinum 2006. That 27-gallon difference translates to roughly 81–135 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Princecraft SP 186 Platinum 2006 and Princecraft Vantage 20 L 2007 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Princecraft SP 186 Platinum 2006 and the Princecraft Vantage 20 L 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.

← Princecraft SP 186 Platinum 2006 full specs ← Princecraft Vantage 20 L 2007 full specs