Princecraft Tournament SP 188 BT 2004 vs Princecraft Vantage 23 2013 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Princecraft Tournament SP 188 BT 2004 or the Princecraft Vantage 23 2013?

For trailering, the Princecraft Tournament SP 188 BT 2004 has the edge at 1 192 lbs dry weight versus 2 007 lbs for the Princecraft Vantage 23 2013. Add a motor (typically 300–500 lbs for an outboard in this class), gear, and a partial fuel load and the difference grows. Lighter is friendlier on smaller tow vehicles and on fuel economy while hauling.

Q: Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Princecraft Vantage 23 2013 is rated to a maximum of 150 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Princecraft Tournament SP 188 BT 2004 tops out at 80 hp. Keep in mind that maximum ratings are just that — matching the motor to the actual load and usage pattern usually matters more than chasing the ceiling.

Q: How many people can each boat hold?

The Princecraft Tournament SP 188 BT 2004 is Coast Guard rated for 8 passengers, while the Princecraft Vantage 23 2013 is certified for 12. Note that legal capacity and comfortable capacity aren't always the same thing — on a full day out, most experienced boaters aim for about 80% of the rated number to keep things comfortable.

Q: Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Princecraft Vantage 23 2013 measures 102" wide, compared to 94" for the Princecraft Tournament SP 188 BT 2004. The US standard-width towing limit is 8’6" (102") in most states — anything over that may need a wide-load permit. Confirm your specific route requirements with each state's DOT.

Q: Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Princecraft Tournament SP 188 BT 2004 or the Princecraft Vantage 23 2013?

The Princecraft Tournament SP 188 BT 2004 has the bigger tank at 6 gallons, versus 3 gallons on the Princecraft Vantage 23 2013. That 3-gallon difference translates to roughly 9–15 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Princecraft Tournament SP 188 BT 2004 and Princecraft Vantage 23 2013 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Princecraft Tournament SP 188 BT 2004 and the Princecraft Vantage 23 2013 are built by Princecraft. That means shared dealer networks, common parts availability, and consistent build quality across the line. The choice between them is essentially a question of how much boat you need, not which brand you trust.

Boat Comparison

Princecraft Tournament SP 188 BT 2004 vs Princecraft Vantage 23 2013

Princecraft

Princecraft Tournament SP 188 BT 2004

2004

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Princecraft

Princecraft Vantage 23 2013

2013

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Princecraft Tournament SP 188 BT 2004 vs Princecraft Vantage 23 2013 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Princecraft Tournament SP 188 BT 2004 vs Princecraft Vantage 23 2013 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 Vantage 23 2013 has a 70-hp advantage over the Princecraft Tournament SP 188 BT 2004's 80-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Both carry nearly identical fuel loads — 6 gal and 3 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Princecraft Vantage 23 2013 is rated for 12 passengers, while the Princecraft Tournament SP 188 BT 2004 caps at 8. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Princecraft Vantage 23 2013 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Princecraft Vantage 23 2013 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 12 passengers and at 23,8 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Princecraft Tournament SP 188 BT 2004 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 8 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakePrincecraft

ModelTournament SP 188 BT

ModelVantage 23

Model Year2004

Model Year2013

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam94 in

Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.6 m)

Beam - Meters2.39

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Inches94

Beam - Inches102

Draft [max] - Detail31 in

Draft [max] - Detailnot available

Draft [max] - Meters0.79

Draft [max] - Metersnot available

Draft [max] - Inches31

Draft [max] - Inchesnot available

Weight - Detail1192 lbs

Weight - Detail2,007 lbs. (910 kg)

Weight - kg540.68

Weight - kg910.36

Weight - lbs.1192

Weight - lbs.2007

Height - Detail40 in

Height - Detailnot available

Height - Meters1.02

Height - Metersnot available

Height - Inches4

Height - Inchesnot available

Height [transom]20 in

Height [transom]not available

Length overall - Detail18 ft. 4 in

Length overall - Detail23 ft. 9 in. (7.2 m)

Length overall - Meters5.59

Length overall - Meters7.24

Length overall - Inches22

Length overall - Inches285

Length [at waterline]not available

Length [at waterline]22 ft. 4 in. (6.8 m) pontoon

Length [deck]not available

Length [deck]22 ft. 8 in. (6.9 m)

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Feet23.75

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail60 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Detail30 gal. (114 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters227.12

Fuel tank capacity - Liters113.56

Fuel tank capacity - Gal6

Fuel tank capacity - Gal3

Engine max80 HP

Engine max150 hp (112 kW)

Fuel typenot available

Fuel typeGas

Drive typenot available

Drive typeOutboard

Operational Info

Maximum capacity1600 lbs

Maximum capacity2,269 lbs. (1,029 kg)

Maximum people8 Persons

Maximum people12 / 1,625 lbs. (737 kg)

Body / Hull

Hull materialnot available

Hull materialAluminum

Hull typenot available

Hull typePontoon

Pontoon and Inflatable Specific

Tube diameternot available

Tube diameter25 in. (0.64 m)

Tube gaugenot available

Tube gauge0.08 in. (2 mm)

Princecraft Tournament SP 188 BT 2004 vs Princecraft Vantage 23 2013 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Princecraft Tournament SP 188 BT 2004 or the Princecraft Vantage 23 2013?

For trailering, the Princecraft Tournament SP 188 BT 2004 has the edge at 1 192 lbs dry weight versus 2 007 lbs for the Princecraft Vantage 23 2013. Add a motor (typically 300–500 lbs for an outboard in this class), gear, and a partial fuel load and the difference grows. Lighter is friendlier on smaller tow vehicles and on fuel economy while hauling.

Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Princecraft Vantage 23 2013 is rated to a maximum of 150 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Princecraft Tournament SP 188 BT 2004 tops out at 80 hp. Keep in mind that maximum ratings are just that — matching the motor to the actual load and usage pattern usually matters more than chasing the ceiling.

How many people can each boat hold?

The Princecraft Tournament SP 188 BT 2004 is Coast Guard rated for 8 passengers, while the Princecraft Vantage 23 2013 is certified for 12. Note that legal capacity and comfortable capacity aren't always the same thing — on a full day out, most experienced boaters aim for about 80% of the rated number to keep things comfortable.

Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Princecraft Vantage 23 2013 measures 102" wide, compared to 94" for the Princecraft Tournament SP 188 BT 2004. The US standard-width towing limit is 8’6" (102") in most states — anything over that may need a wide-load permit. Confirm your specific route requirements with each state's DOT.

Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Princecraft Tournament SP 188 BT 2004 or the Princecraft Vantage 23 2013?

The Princecraft Tournament SP 188 BT 2004 has the bigger tank at 6 gallons, versus 3 gallons on the Princecraft Vantage 23 2013. That 3-gallon difference translates to roughly 9–15 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Princecraft Tournament SP 188 BT 2004 and Princecraft Vantage 23 2013 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Princecraft Tournament SP 188 BT 2004 and the Princecraft Vantage 23 2013 are built by Princecraft. That means shared dealer networks, common parts availability, and consistent build quality across the line. The choice between them is essentially a question of how much boat you need, not which brand you trust.

← Princecraft Tournament SP 188 BT 2004 full specs ← Princecraft Vantage 23 2013 full specs