When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Princecraft Vantage 23-4S 2012 and the Princecraft Vectra 17 2013 are pontoon designs with aluminum construction — the buying decision usually comes down to a handful of practical questions: how many people are you putting on the water, how far do you trailer, and what does your tow vehicle weigh?
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Princecraft Vantage 23-4S 2012 measures 23,8 feet overall (2012), giving it roughly 6,1 additional feet of deck space compared to the Princecraft Vectra 17 2013 at 17,7 feet (2013). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Princecraft Vantage 23-4S 2012 tips the scales at 2 062 lbs — 750 lbs more than the Princecraft Vectra 17 2013 at 1 312 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 115 hp, the Princecraft Vantage 23-4S 2012 has a 65-hp advantage over the Princecraft Vectra 17 2013's 50-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Princecraft Vantage 23-4S 2012 is rated for 8 passengers, while the Princecraft Vectra 17 2013 caps at 6. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Princecraft Vantage 23-4S 2012 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Princecraft Vantage 23-4S 2012 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 8 passengers and at 23,8 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Princecraft Vectra 17 2013 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 6 that costs less to run day-to-day.