Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Princecraft Sport 172 2011 vs Princecraft Tournament SP 188 DLX AE 2004 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The Princecraft Sport 172 2011 vs Princecraft Tournament SP 188 DLX AE 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 175 hp, the Princecraft Tournament SP 188 DLX AE 2004 has a 60-hp advantage over the Princecraft Sport 172 2011's 115-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 Sport 172 2011 carries 35 gallons versus 6 gallons in the Princecraft Tournament SP 188 DLX AE 2004. 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 Tournament SP 188 DLX AE 2004 is rated for 7 passengers, while the Princecraft Sport 172 2011 caps at 6. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Princecraft Tournament SP 188 DLX AE 2004 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Princecraft Tournament SP 188 DLX AE 2004 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 7 passengers and at 0,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Princecraft Sport 172 2011 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
ModelSport 172
ModelTournament SP 188 DLX AE
Model Year2011
Model Year2004
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam92 in. (2.3 m)
Beam94 in
Beam - Meters2.34
Beam - Meters2.39
Beam - Inches92
Beam - Inches94
Depth - Detail39 in. (1.0 m)
Depth - Detailnot available
Depth - Centimeters99.06
Depth - Centimetersnot available
Depth - Inches39
Depth - Inchesnot available
Draft [max] - Detail30 in. (0.8 m)
Draft [max] - Detail32 in
Draft [max] - Meters0.76
Draft [max] - Meters0.81
Draft [max] - Inches3
Draft [max] - Inches32
Weight - Detail1,225 lbs. (556 kg)
Weight - Detail1237 lbs
Weight - kg555.65
Weight - kg561.09
Weight - lbs.1225
Weight - lbs.1237
Width [transom] - Detail75 in. (1.9 m)
Width [transom] - Detailnot available
Height [transom]25 in. (0.6 m)
Height [transom]20 in
Length - Feet17.42
Length - Feetnot available
Length overall - Detail17 ft. 5 in. (5.3 m)
Length overall - Detail18 ft. 4 in
Length overall - Meters5.31
Length overall - Meters5.59
Length overall - Inches209
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: 0.100 in. (2.5 mm) Side: 0.072 in. (1.8 mm)
Hull thicknessnot available
Hull typeModified Vee
Hull typenot available
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail35 gal. (132 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail60 gal
Fuel tank capacity - Liters132.49
Fuel tank capacity - Liters227.12
Fuel tank capacity - Gal35
Fuel tank capacity - Gal6
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typenot available
Engine max115 hp (86 kW)
Engine max175 HP
Operational Info
Maximum capacityPerson: 830 lbs. (376 kg) Total: 1,570 lbs. (712 kg)
Maximum capacity1600 lbs
Maximum people6
Maximum people7 Persons