Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Princecraft Vectra 21-4S 2013 vs Princecraft Xpedition 170 SC 2012 — Same Brand, Different Boat
Matching a pontoon Princecraft Vectra 21-4S 2013 against a deep vee Princecraft Xpedition 170 SC 2012 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 2013 measures 21,5 feet overall (2013), giving it roughly 4,6 additional feet of deck space compared to the Princecraft Xpedition 170 SC 2012 at 16,9 feet (2012). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Princecraft Vectra 21-4S 2013 tips the scales at 1 813 lbs — 758 lbs more than the Princecraft Xpedition 170 SC 2012 at 1 055 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 — 115 hp for the Princecraft Vectra 21-4S 2013 and 115 hp for the Princecraft Xpedition 170 SC 2012. 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 2013 carries 18 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 Vectra 21-4S 2013 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 Vectra 21-4S 2013 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Princecraft Vectra 21-4S 2013 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 8 passengers and at 21,5 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
ModelVectra 21-4S
ModelXpedition 170 SC
Model Year2013
Model Year2012
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam8 ft. 5 in. (2.6 m)
Beam91 in. (2.3 m)
Beam - Meters2.57
Beam - Meters2.31
Beam - Inches101
Beam - Inches91
Weight - Detail1,813 lbs. (822 kg)
Weight - Detail1,055 lbs. (479 kg)
Weight - kg822.36
Weight - kg478.54
Weight - lbs.1813
Weight - lbs.1055
Length [at waterline]20 ft. 4 in. (6.2 m) pontoon
Length [at waterline]not available
Length [deck]20 ft. (6.1 m)
Length [deck]not available
Length - Feet21.5
Length - Feet16.92
Length overall - Detail21 ft. 6 in. (6.6 m)
Length overall - Detail16 ft. 11 in. (5.2 m)
Length overall - Meters6.55
Length overall - Meters5.16
Length overall - Inches258
Length overall - Inches203
Depth - Detailnot available
Depth - Detail35 in. (0.9 m)
Depth - Centimetersnot available
Depth - Centimeters88.9
Depth - Inchesnot available
Depth - Inches35
Draft [max] - Detailnot available
Draft [max] - Detail31 in. (0.8 m)
Draft [max] - Metersnot available
Draft [max] - Meters0.79
Draft [max] - Inchesnot available
Draft [max] - Inches31
Width [transom] - Detailnot available
Width [transom] - Detail78 in. (2 m)
Height [transom]not available
Height [transom]20 in. (0.5 m)
Body / Hull
Hull materialAluminum
Hull materialAluminum
Hull typePontoon
Hull typeDeep Vee
Hull thicknessnot available
Hull thicknessBottom: 0.100 in. (2.5 mm) Side: 0.072 in. (1.8 mm)
Pontoon and Inflatable Specific
Tube diameter25 in. (0.64 m)
Tube diameternot available
Tube gauge0.08 in. (2 mm)
Tube gaugenot available
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail18 gal. (68 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail20 gal. (77 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters68.14
Fuel tank capacity - Liters75.71
Fuel tank capacity - Gal18
Fuel tank capacity - Gal2
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeOutboard
Engine max115 hp (86 kW)
Engine maxnot available
Horsepowernot available
Horsepower115 hp (86 kW)
Operational Info
Maximum capacity1,986 lbs. (901 kg)
Maximum capacity1,415 lbs. (642 kg)
Maximum people8 / 1,346 lbs. (611 kg)
Maximum people5 / 675 lbs. (306 kg)