Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Princecraft SVX 27 I/O 2011 vs Princecraft Tournament SP 178 DLX AE 2004 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The Princecraft SVX 27 I/O 2011 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 300 hp, the Princecraft SVX 27 I/O 2011 has a 150-hp advantage over the Princecraft Tournament SP 178 DLX AE 2004's 150-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 SVX 27 I/O 2011 carries 55 gallons versus 35 gallons in the Princecraft Tournament SP 178 DLX AE 2004. 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 SVX 27 I/O 2011 is rated for 13 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 SVX 27 I/O 2011 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Princecraft SVX 27 I/O 2011 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 13 passengers and at 27,8 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
ModelSVX 27 I/O
ModelTournament SP 178 DLX AE
Model Year2011
Model Year2004
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.6 m)
Beam92 in
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Meters2.34
Beam - Inches102
Beam - Inches92
Weight - Detail4,524 lbs. (2,052 kg)
Weight - Detail1168 lbs
Weight - kg2052.05
Weight - kg529.8
Weight - lbs.4524
Weight - lbs.1168
Length [deck]25 ft. 10 in. (7.9 m)
Length [deck]not available
Length - Feet27.83
Length - Feetnot available
Length overall - Detail27 ft. 10 in. (8.5 m)
Length overall - Detail17 ft. 5 in
Length overall - Meters8.48
Length overall - Meters5.31
Length overall - Inches334
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 thickness0.080 in. (2 mm)
Hull thicknessnot available
Hull typePontoon
Hull typenot available
Pontoon and Inflatable Specific
Tube diameter25 in. (0.64 m)
Tube diameternot available
Number of tubes3
Number of tubesnot available
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail55 gal. (208 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail35 gal
Fuel tank capacity - Liters208.2
Fuel tank capacity - Liters132.49
Fuel tank capacity - Gal55
Fuel tank capacity - Gal35
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typenot available
Drive typeI/O
Drive typenot available
Engine max300 hp (224 kW)
Engine max150 HP
Operational Info
Maximum capacity2,793 lbs. (1,267 kg)
Maximum capacity1455 lbs
Maximum people13 / 1,780 lbs. (807 kg)
Maximum people6 Persons