Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Princecraft Sportfisher 20 LX 2009 vs Princecraft Tournament SP 178 DLX AE 2004 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The Princecraft Sportfisher 20 LX 2009 vs Princecraft Tournament SP 178 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 150 hp, the Princecraft Tournament SP 178 DLX AE 2004 has a 60-hp advantage over the Princecraft Sportfisher 20 LX 2009's 90-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Both carry nearly identical fuel loads — 33 gal and 35 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Princecraft Sportfisher 20 LX 2009 is rated for 9 passengers, while the Princecraft Tournament SP 178 DLX AE 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 20 LX 2009 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Princecraft Sportfisher 20 LX 2009 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 9 passengers and at 20,5 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Princecraft Tournament SP 178 DLX AE 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 20 LX
ModelTournament SP 178 DLX AE
Model Year2009
Model Year2004
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.6 m)
Beam92 in
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Meters2.34
Beam - Inches102
Beam - Inches92
Weight - Detail1,700 lbs. (771 kg)
Weight - Detail1168 lbs
Weight - kg771.11
Weight - kg529.8
Weight - lbs.17
Weight - lbs.1168
Length [at waterline]20 ft. 4 in. (6.2 m)
Length [at waterline]not available
Length [deck]20 ft. (6.1 m)
Length [deck]not available
Length - Feet20.5
Length - Feetnot available
Length overall - Detail20 ft. 6 in. (6.2 m)
Length overall - Detail17 ft. 5 in
Length overall - Meters6.25
Length overall - Meters5.31
Length overall - Inches246
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 - Inches4
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 diameter25 in. (0.64 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 - Detail33 gal. (125 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail35 gal
Fuel tank capacity - Liters124.92
Fuel tank capacity - Liters132.49
Fuel tank capacity - Gal33
Fuel tank capacity - Gal35
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typenot available
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typenot available
Engine max90 hp (67 kW)
Engine max150 HP
Operational Info
Maximum capacityPerson: 1,495 lbs. (678 kg) Total: 2,097 lbs. (951 kg)
Maximum capacity1455 lbs
Maximum people9
Maximum people6 Persons