Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Princecraft Sportfisher 18 L4S 2008 vs Princecraft Tournament SP 178 DLX 2004: Same Brand, Different Boat
The Princecraft Sportfisher 18 L4S 2008 vs Princecraft Tournament SP 178 DLX 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 150 hp, the Princecraft Tournament SP 178 DLX 2004 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 Tournament SP 178 DLX 2004 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 Tournament SP 178 DLX 2004 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.
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 Tournament SP 178 DLX 2004 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
ModelTournament SP 178 DLX
Model Year2008
Model Year2004
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam8 ft. 0 in. (2.4 m)
Beam92 in.
Beam - Meters2.44
Beam - Meters2.34
Beam - Inches96
Beam - Inches92
Weight - Detail1,394 lbs. (632 kg)
Weight - Detail1159 lbs.
Weight - kg632.31
Weight - kg525.71
Weight - lbs.1394
Weight - lbs.1159
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 - Metersnot available
Length - Feet18
Length - Feetnot available
Length - Inches4
Length - Inchesnot available
Length overall - Detail18 ft. 4 in. (5.6 m)
Length overall - Detail17 ft. 5 in.
Length overall - Meters5.59
Length overall - Meters5.31
Length overall - Inches220
Length overall - Inches209
Draft [max] - Detailnot available
Draft [max] - Detail31 in.
Draft [max] - Metersnot available
Draft [max] - Meters0.79
Draft [max] - Inchesnot available
Draft [max] - Inches31
Height - Detailnot available
Height - Detail40 in.
Height - Metersnot available
Height - Meters1.02
Height - Inchesnot available
Height - Inches40
Height [transom]not available
Height [transom]20 in.
Body / Hull
Hull materialAluminum
Hull materialnot available
Hull typePontoon
Hull typenot available
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.
Fuel tank capacity - Liters68.14
Fuel tank capacity - Liters132.49
Fuel tank capacity - Gal18
Fuel tank capacity - Gal35
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typenot available
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typenot available
Engine max60 hp (45 kW)
Engine max150 HP
Operational Info
Maximum capacityPerson: 1,229 lbs. (557 kg) Total: 1,730 lbs. (785 kg)
Maximum capacity1455 lbs.
Maximum people9
Maximum people6 Persons