The Princecraft Sport 172 SC 2013 is a deep-V design and the Princecraft Vantage 23-2RS 2013 is a pontoon design, so you're likely deciding between two noticeably different on-water experiences. Hull type shapes everything from ride quality and fuel burn to dock handling and resale trajectory.

Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Princecraft Vantage 23-2RS 2013 measures 23,8 feet overall (2013), giving it roughly 6,3 additional feet of deck space compared to the Princecraft Sport 172 SC 2013 at 17,4 feet (2013). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Princecraft Vantage 23-2RS 2013 tips the scales at 2 041 lbs - 867 lbs less than the Princecraft Sport 172 SC 2013 at 1 174 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 Vantage 23-2RS 2013 has a 25-hp advantage over the Princecraft Sport 172 SC 2013's 125-hp ceiling - enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Both carry nearly identical fuel loads - 26 gal and 27 gal - so range won't be a tiebreaker here.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Princecraft Vantage 23-2RS 2013 is rated for 11 passengers, while the Princecraft Sport 172 SC 2013 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 23-2RS 2013 could be the deciding factor.