Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Princecraft Sportfisher 18 L4S 2008 vs Princecraft Super Pro 178 SC 2008 — Same Brand, Different Boat
Matching a pontoon Princecraft Sportfisher 18 L4S 2008 against a modified vee Princecraft Super Pro 178 SC 2008 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 Sportfisher 18 L4S 2008 at 18,0 ft versus Princecraft Super Pro 178 SC 2008 at 17,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Princecraft Sportfisher 18 L4S 2008 tips the scales at 1 394 lbs — 230 lbs more than the Princecraft Super Pro 178 SC 2008 at 1 164 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 Super Pro 178 SC 2008 has a 90-hp advantage over the Princecraft Sportfisher 18 L4S 2008's 60-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 Super Pro 178 SC 2008 carries 35 gallons versus 18 gallons in the Princecraft Sportfisher 18 L4S 2008. 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 Sportfisher 18 L4S 2008 is rated for 9 passengers, while the Princecraft Super Pro 178 SC 2008 caps at 6. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Princecraft Sportfisher 18 L4S 2008 could be the deciding factor.
At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Princecraft Super Pro 178 SC 2008 comes in at 8 lbs per hp versus 23 lbs per hp for the Princecraft Sportfisher 18 L4S 2008. 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 Sportfisher 18 L4S 2008 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 9 passengers and at 18,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Princecraft Super Pro 178 SC 2008 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
ModelSportfisher 18 L4S
ModelSuper Pro 178 SC
Model Year2008
Model Year2008
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam8 ft. 0 in. (2.4 m)
Beam92 in. (2.3 m)
Beam - Meters2.44
Beam - Meters2.34
Beam - Inches96
Beam - Inches92
Weight - Detail1,394 lbs. (632 kg)
Weight - Detail1,164 lbs. (528 kg)
Weight - kg632.31
Weight - kg527.98
Weight - lbs.1394
Weight - lbs.1164
Length [at waterline]Pontoon: 18 ft. 4 in. (5.6 m)
Length [at waterline]not available
Length [deck]18 ft. 0 in. (5.5 m)
Length [deck]not available
Length - Meters5.6
Length - Meters5.3
Length - Feet18
Length - Feet17
Length - Inches4
Length - Inches5
Length overall - Detail18 ft. 4 in. (5.6 m)
Length overall - Detail17 ft. 5 in. (5.3 m)
Length overall - Meters5.59
Length overall - Meters5.31
Length overall - Inches22
Length overall - Inches209
Depth - Detailnot available
Depth - Detail40 in. (1.0 m)
Depth - Centimetersnot available
Depth - Centimeters101.6
Depth - Inchesnot available
Depth - Inches4
Draft [max] - Detailnot available
Draft [max] - Detail31 in. (0.8 m)
Draft [max] - Metersnot available
Draft [max] - Meters0.79
Draft [max] - Inchesnot available
Draft [max] - Inches31
Width [transom] - Detailnot available
Width [transom] - Detail75 in. (1.9 m)
Height [transom]not available
Height [transom]25 in. (0.6 m)
Body / Hull
Hull materialAluminum
Hull materialAluminum
Hull typePontoon
Hull typeModified Vee
Hull thicknessnot available
Hull thicknessBottom: 0.100 in. (2.5 mm) Side: 0.072 in. (1.8 mm)
Pontoon and Inflatable Specific
Tube diameter23 in. (0.58 m)
Tube diameternot available
Tube gauge0.080 in. (2 mm)
Tube gaugenot available
Number of tubes2
Number of tubesnot available
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - DetailPortable with hose and bulb, or Optional permanent 18 gal. (68 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail35 gal. (132 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters68.14
Fuel tank capacity - Liters132.49
Fuel tank capacity - Gal18
Fuel tank capacity - Gal35
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeOutboard
Engine max60 hp (45 kW)
Engine max150 hp (112 kW)
Operational Info
Maximum capacityPerson: 1,229 lbs. (557 kg) Total: 1,730 lbs. (785 kg)
Maximum capacityPerson: 744 lbs. (337 kg) Total: 1,488 lbs. (675 kg)
Maximum people9
Maximum people6