Matching a modified vee Princecraft SS 172 2009 against a deep vee Princecraft Ventura 190 I/O 2009 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 SS 172 2009 at 17,4 ft versus Princecraft Ventura 190 I/O 2009 at 19,2 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Princecraft Ventura 190 I/O 2009 tips the scales at 2 556 lbs — 1 331 lbs less than the Princecraft SS 172 2009 at 1 225 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 220 hp, the Princecraft Ventura 190 I/O 2009 has a 105-hp advantage over the Princecraft SS 172 2009'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 SS 172 2009 carries 35 gallons versus 5 gallons in the Princecraft Ventura 190 I/O 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 SS 172 2009 is rated for 6 passengers, while the Princecraft Ventura 190 I/O 2009 caps at 1. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Princecraft SS 172 2009 could be the deciding factor.