Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Princecraft Tournament SP 178 SC 2005 vs Princecraft Vectra 21 2011 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The Princecraft Tournament SP 178 SC 2005 vs Princecraft Vectra 21 2011 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.
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Princecraft Vectra 21 2011 measures 21,5 feet overall (2011), giving it roughly 4,5 additional feet of deck space compared to the Princecraft Tournament SP 178 SC 2005 at 17,0 feet (2005). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Princecraft Vectra 21 2011 tips the scales at 1 639 lbs — 480 lbs less than the Princecraft Tournament SP 178 SC 2005 at 1 159 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 150 hp, the Princecraft Tournament SP 178 SC 2005 has a 60-hp advantage over the Princecraft Vectra 21 2011'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 — 35 gal and 33 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Princecraft Vectra 21 2011 is rated for 8 passengers, while the Princecraft Tournament SP 178 SC 2005 caps at 6. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Princecraft Vectra 21 2011 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Princecraft Vectra 21 2011 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 8 passengers and at 21,5 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Princecraft Tournament SP 178 SC 2005 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
ModelTournament SP 178 SC
ModelVectra 21
Model Year2005
Model Year2011
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam92 in. (2.3 m)
Beam8 ft. 5 in. (2.6 m)
Beam - Meters2.34
Beam - Meters2.57
Beam - Inches92
Beam - Inches101
Depth - Detail40 in. (1.0 m)
Depth - Detailnot available
Depth - Centimeters101.6
Depth - Centimetersnot available
Depth - Inches4
Depth - Inchesnot available
Draft [max] - Detail31 in. (0.8 m)
Draft [max] - Detailnot available
Draft [max] - Meters0.79
Draft [max] - Metersnot available
Draft [max] - Inches31
Draft [max] - Inchesnot available
Weight - Detail1,159 lbs. (526 kg)
Weight - Detail1,639 lbs. (743 kg)
Weight - kg525.71
Weight - kg743.44
Weight - lbs.1159
Weight - lbs.1639
Width [transom] - Detail75 in. (1.9 m)
Width [transom] - Detailnot available
Height [transom]20 in. (0.5 m)
Height [transom]not available
Length - Meters5.3
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Feet17
Length - Feet21.5
Length - Inches5
Length - Inchesnot available
Length overall - Detail17 ft. 5 in. (5.3 m)
Length overall - Detail21 ft. 6 in. (6.6 m)
Length overall - Meters5.31
Length overall - Meters6.55
Length overall - Inches209
Length overall - Inches258
Length [deck]not available
Length [deck]20 ft. 0 in. (6.1 m)
Body / Hull
Hull thicknessBottom: .100 in. (2.5 mm) Side: .072 in. (1.8 mm)
Hull thicknessnot available
Hull materialnot available
Hull materialAluminum
Hull typenot available
Hull typePontoon
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail35 gal. Built-in (132 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail33 gal. (125 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters132.49
Fuel tank capacity - Liters124.92
Fuel tank capacity - Gal35
Fuel tank capacity - Gal33
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeOutboard
Engine max150 hp (112 kw)
Engine max90 hp (67 kW)
Fuel typenot available
Fuel typeGas
Operational Info
Maximum capacity1,488 lbs. (675 kg)
Maximum capacity1,760 lbs. (798 kg)
Maximum people6
Maximum people8 / 1,158 lbs. (525 kg)
Pontoon and Inflatable Specific
Tube diameternot available
Tube diameter23 in. (0.58 m)
Tube gaugenot available
Tube gauge0.080 in. (2 mm)
Number of tubesnot available
Number of tubes2