Princecraft Ventura 230 WRL 2025 boat specs
Princecraft
Princecraft Ventura 230 WRL 2025
2025
View full specs →
VS
Princecraft Xpedition 170 BT 2012 boat specs
Princecraft
Princecraft Xpedition 170 BT 2012
2012
View full specs →

Princecraft Ventura 230 WRL 2025 vs Princecraft Xpedition 170 BT 2012 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Princecraft Ventura 230 WRL 2025 vs Princecraft Xpedition 170 BT 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.

Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Princecraft Ventura 230 WRL 2025 measures 23,1 feet overall (2025), giving it roughly 6,2 additional feet of deck space compared to the Princecraft Xpedition 170 BT 2012 at 16,9 feet (2012). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Princecraft Ventura 230 WRL 2025 tips the scales at 2 838 lbs — 2 741 lbs more than the Princecraft Xpedition 170 BT 2012 at 97 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 250 hp, the Princecraft Ventura 230 WRL 2025 has a 175-hp advantage over the Princecraft Xpedition 170 BT 2012's 75-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 Ventura 230 WRL 2025 carries 55 gallons versus 2 gallons in the Princecraft Xpedition 170 BT 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 Ventura 230 WRL 2025 is rated for 7 passengers, while the Princecraft Xpedition 170 BT 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 Ventura 230 WRL 2025 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Princecraft Ventura 230 WRL 2025 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 7 passengers and at 23,1 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Princecraft Xpedition 170 BT 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.
Measurements / Dimensions
Length overall - Detail23.10 ft
Length overall - Detail16 ft. 11 in. (5.2 m)
Length - Feet23.1
Length - Feet16.92
Length overall - Meters7.04
Length overall - Meters5.16
Length overall - Inches277
Length overall - Inches203
Beam10.10 ft
Beam91 in. (2.3 m)
Beam - Meters3.08
Beam - Meters2.31
Beam - Inches121
Beam - Inches91
Displacement2838.00 lbs
Displacementnot available
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
Weight - Detailnot available
Weight - Detail970 lbs. (440 kg)
Weight - kgnot available
Weight - kg439.98
Weight - lbs.not available
Weight - lbs.97
Width [transom] - Detailnot available
Width [transom] - Detail78 in. (2 m)
Height [transom]not available
Height [transom]20 in. (0.5 m)
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Gal55
Fuel tank capacity - Gal2
Fuel tank capacity - Liters208.2
Fuel tank capacity - Liters75.71
Engine makeMercury
Engine makenot available
Horsepower250 hp
Horsepower75 hp (56 kW)
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typeGas
Drive typeoutboard
Drive typeOutboard
Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Detail20 gal. (77 l)
Operational Info
Boat typePower
Boat typenot available
Maximum capacitynot available
Maximum capacity1,235 lbs. (560 kg)
Maximum peoplenot available
Maximum people5 / 675 lbs. (306 kg)
General Boat Info
Makenot available
MakePrincecraft
Modelnot available
ModelXpedition 170 BT
Model Yearnot available
Model Year2012
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 Ventura 230 WRL 2025 vs Princecraft Xpedition 170 BT 2012 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Princecraft Ventura 230 WRL 2025 or the Princecraft Xpedition 170 BT 2012?
The Princecraft Ventura 230 WRL 2025 is the longer of the two at 23,1 feet overall. The Princecraft Xpedition 170 BT 2012 comes in at 16,9 feet, making it roughly 6,2 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.
Which is easier to trailer — the Princecraft Ventura 230 WRL 2025 or the Princecraft Xpedition 170 BT 2012?
For trailering, the Princecraft Xpedition 170 BT 2012 has the edge at 97 lbs dry weight versus 2 838 lbs for the Princecraft Ventura 230 WRL 2025. 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 Ventura 230 WRL 2025 is rated to a maximum of 250 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Princecraft Xpedition 170 BT 2012 tops out at 75 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 Ventura 230 WRL 2025 is Coast Guard rated for 7 passengers, while the Princecraft Xpedition 170 BT 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 Ventura 230 WRL 2025 measures 121" wide, compared to 91" for the Princecraft Xpedition 170 BT 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 Ventura 230 WRL 2025 or the Princecraft Xpedition 170 BT 2012?
The Princecraft Ventura 230 WRL 2025 has the bigger tank at 55 gallons, versus 2 gallons on the Princecraft Xpedition 170 BT 2012. That 53-gallon difference translates to roughly 159–265 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.
Are the Princecraft Ventura 230 WRL 2025 and Princecraft Xpedition 170 BT 2012 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Princecraft Ventura 230 WRL 2025 and the Princecraft Xpedition 170 BT 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.