Matching a modified vee Princecraft SS 164 2009 against a pontoon Princecraft Vantage 23-2RS 2012 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.

Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Princecraft Vantage 23-2RS 2012 measures 23,8 feet overall (2012), giving it roughly 7,3 additional feet of deck space compared to the Princecraft SS 164 2009 at 16,5 feet (2009). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Princecraft Vantage 23-2RS 2012 tips the scales at 2 041 lbs — 1 033 lbs less than the Princecraft SS 164 2009 at 1 008 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 115 hp, the Princecraft Vantage 23-2RS 2012 has a 40-hp advantage over the Princecraft SS 164 2009's 75-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 Vantage 23-2RS 2012 carries 27 gallons versus 2 gallons in the Princecraft SS 164 2009. 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 Vantage 23-2RS 2012 is rated for 10 passengers, while the Princecraft SS 164 2009 caps at 6. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Princecraft Vantage 23-2RS 2012 could be the deciding factor.