Matching a deep vee Princecraft Sport 172 WS 2012 against a modified vee Princecraft Starfish 2009 means you're likely deciding between two genuinely different on-water experiences. Hull type shapes everything from ride quality and fuel burn to dock handling and resale trajectory.

On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Princecraft Sport 172 WS 2012 at 17,4 ft versus Princecraft Starfish 2009 at 16,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Princecraft Sport 172 WS 2012 tips the scales at 1 255 lbs — 1 223 lbs more than the Princecraft Starfish 2009 at 32 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 125 hp, the Princecraft Sport 172 WS 2012 has a 85-hp advantage over the Princecraft Starfish 2009's 40-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 Starfish 2009 is rated for 7 passengers, while the Princecraft Sport 172 WS 2012 caps at 6. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Princecraft Starfish 2009 could be the deciding factor.

At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Princecraft Starfish 2009 comes in at 1 lbs per hp versus 10 lbs per hp for the Princecraft Sport 172 WS 2012. 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.