Matching a pontoon Princecraft Vectra 21-4S 2011 against a deep vee Princecraft Xpedition 170 BT 2013 means you're likely deciding between two genuinely different on-water experiences. Hull type shapes everything from ride quality and fuel burn to dock handling and resale trajectory.

Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Princecraft Vectra 21-4S 2011 measures 21,5 feet overall (2011), giving it roughly 4,6 additional feet of deck space compared to the Princecraft Xpedition 170 BT 2013 at 16,9 feet (2013). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Princecraft Vectra 21-4S 2011 tips the scales at 1 748 lbs — 733 lbs more than the Princecraft Xpedition 170 BT 2013 at 1 015 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.

Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling — 90 hp for the Princecraft Vectra 21-4S 2011 and 75 hp for the Princecraft Xpedition 170 BT 2013. Real-world performance will come down more to which motor is actually bolted on, its load at the time, and whether it's a 4-stroke or 2-stroke setup. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Princecraft Vectra 21-4S 2011 carries 18 gallons versus 2 gallons in the Princecraft Xpedition 170 BT 2013. 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 Vectra 21-4S 2011 is rated for 8 passengers, while the Princecraft Xpedition 170 BT 2013 caps at 5. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Princecraft Vectra 21-4S 2011 could be the deciding factor.