Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Princecraft Tournament SP 188 DLX AE 2004 vs Princecraft Vectra 17 L 2008 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The Princecraft Tournament SP 188 DLX AE 2004 vs Princecraft Vectra 17 L 2008 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 175 hp, the Princecraft Tournament SP 188 DLX AE 2004 has a 125-hp advantage over the Princecraft Vectra 17 L 2008's 50-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 Vectra 17 L 2008 carries 12 gallons versus 6 gallons in the Princecraft Tournament SP 188 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 Tournament SP 188 DLX AE 2004 is rated for 7 passengers, while the Princecraft Vectra 17 L 2008 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 DLX AE 2004 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Princecraft Tournament SP 188 DLX AE 2004 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 7 passengers and at 0,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Princecraft Vectra 17 L 2008 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 DLX AE
ModelVectra 17 L
Model Year2004
Model Year2008
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam94 in
Beam8 ft. 0 in. (2.4 m)
Beam - Meters2.39
Beam - Meters2.44
Beam - Inches94
Beam - Inches96
Draft [max] - Detail32 in
Draft [max] - Detailnot available
Draft [max] - Meters0.81
Draft [max] - Metersnot available
Draft [max] - Inches32
Draft [max] - Inchesnot available
Weight - Detail1237 lbs
Weight - Detail1,280 lbs. (581 kg)
Weight - kg561.09
Weight - kg580.6
Weight - lbs.1237
Weight - lbs.128
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 - Detail17 ft. 2 in. (5.2 m)
Length overall - Meters5.59
Length overall - Meters5.23
Length overall - Inches22
Length overall - Inches206
Length [at waterline]not available
Length [at waterline]Pontoon: 16 ft. 4 in. (4.9 m)
Length [deck]not available
Length [deck]16 ft. 7 in. (5.1 m)
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Meters5.2
Length - Feetnot available
Length - Feet17
Length - Inchesnot available
Length - Inches2
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail60 gal
Fuel tank capacity - DetailPortable with hose and bulb, or Optional premanent 12 gal. (45 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters227.12
Fuel tank capacity - Liters45.42
Fuel tank capacity - Gal6
Fuel tank capacity - Gal12
Engine max175 HP
Engine max50 hp (37 kW)
Fuel typenot available
Fuel typeGas
Drive typenot available
Drive typeOutboard
Operational Info
Maximum capacity1600 lbs
Maximum capacityPerson: 728 lbs. (330 kg); Total: 1,229 lbs. (557 kg)
Maximum people7 Persons
Maximum people5
Body / Hull
Hull materialnot available
Hull materialAluminum
Hull typenot available
Hull typePontoon
Pontoon and Inflatable Specific
Tube diameternot available
Tube diameter23 in. (0.58 m)
Tube gaugenot available
Tube gauge0.08 in. (2 mm)
Number of tubesnot available
Number of tubes2