Princecraft Tournament SP 188 BT 2004 boat specs
Princecraft
Princecraft Tournament SP 188 BT 2004
2004
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VS
Princecraft Xpedition 170 SC 2012 boat specs
Princecraft
Princecraft Xpedition 170 SC 2012
2012
View full specs →

Princecraft Tournament SP 188 BT 2004 vs Princecraft Xpedition 170 SC 2012 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Princecraft Tournament SP 188 BT 2004 vs Princecraft Xpedition 170 SC 2012 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 115 hp, the Princecraft Xpedition 170 SC 2012 has a 35-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. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Princecraft Tournament SP 188 BT 2004 carries 6 gallons versus 2 gallons in the Princecraft Xpedition 170 SC 2012. 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 Tournament SP 188 BT 2004 is rated for 8 passengers, while the Princecraft Xpedition 170 SC 2012 caps at 5. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Princecraft Tournament SP 188 BT 2004 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Princecraft Tournament SP 188 BT 2004 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 8 passengers and at 0,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Princecraft Xpedition 170 SC 2012 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 5 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
MakePrincecraft
MakePrincecraft
ModelTournament SP 188 BT
ModelXpedition 170 SC
Model Year2004
Model Year2012
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam94 in
Beam91 in. (2.3 m)
Beam - Meters2.39
Beam - Meters2.31
Beam - Inches94
Beam - Inches91
Draft [max] - Detail31 in
Draft [max] - Detail31 in. (0.8 m)
Draft [max] - Meters0.79
Draft [max] - Meters0.79
Draft [max] - Inches31
Draft [max] - Inches31
Weight - Detail1192 lbs
Weight - Detail1,055 lbs. (479 kg)
Weight - kg540.68
Weight - kg478.54
Weight - lbs.1192
Weight - lbs.1055
Height - Detail40 in
Height - Detailnot available
Height - Meters1.02
Height - Metersnot available
Height - Inches4
Height - Inchesnot available
Height [transom]20 in
Height [transom]20 in. (0.5 m)
Length overall - Detail18 ft. 4 in
Length overall - Detail16 ft. 11 in. (5.2 m)
Length overall - Meters5.59
Length overall - Meters5.16
Length overall - Inches22
Length overall - Inches203
Depth - Detailnot available
Depth - Detail35 in. (0.9 m)
Depth - Centimetersnot available
Depth - Centimeters88.9
Depth - Inchesnot available
Depth - Inches35
Width [transom] - Detailnot available
Width [transom] - Detail78 in. (2 m)
Length - Feetnot available
Length - Feet16.92
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail60 gal
Fuel tank capacity - Detail20 gal. (77 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters227.12
Fuel tank capacity - Liters75.71
Fuel tank capacity - Gal6
Fuel tank capacity - Gal2
Engine max80 HP
Engine maxnot available
Fuel typenot available
Fuel typeGas
Drive typenot available
Drive typeOutboard
Horsepowernot available
Horsepower115 hp (86 kW)
Operational Info
Maximum capacity1600 lbs
Maximum capacity1,415 lbs. (642 kg)
Maximum people8 Persons
Maximum people5 / 675 lbs. (306 kg)
Body / Hull
Hull materialnot available
Hull materialAluminum
Hull thicknessnot available
Hull thicknessBottom: 0.100 in. (2.5 mm) Side: 0.072 in. (1.8 mm)
Hull typenot available
Hull typeDeep Vee

Princecraft Tournament SP 188 BT 2004 vs Princecraft Xpedition 170 SC 2012 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Princecraft Tournament SP 188 BT 2004 or the Princecraft Xpedition 170 SC 2012?
For trailering, the Princecraft Xpedition 170 SC 2012 has the edge at 1 055 lbs dry weight versus 1 192 lbs for the Princecraft Tournament SP 188 BT 2004. 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 Xpedition 170 SC 2012 is rated to a maximum of 115 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 Xpedition 170 SC 2012 is certified for 5. 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 Tournament SP 188 BT 2004 measures 94" wide, compared to 91" for the Princecraft Xpedition 170 SC 2012. 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 Xpedition 170 SC 2012?
The Princecraft Tournament SP 188 BT 2004 has the bigger tank at 6 gallons, versus 2 gallons on the Princecraft Xpedition 170 SC 2012. That 4-gallon difference translates to roughly 12–20 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.
Are the Princecraft Tournament SP 188 BT 2004 and Princecraft Xpedition 170 SC 2012 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Princecraft Tournament SP 188 BT 2004 and the Princecraft Xpedition 170 SC 2012 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.