Both the Princecraft Xpedition 170 WS 2012 and the Princecraft Xpedition 200 WS 2013 are deep-V designs, both built in aluminium, so 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 Xpedition 200 WS 2013 measures 20,0 feet overall (2013), giving it roughly 3,1 additional feet of deck space compared to the Princecraft Xpedition 170 WS 2012 at 16,9 feet (2012). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Princecraft Xpedition 200 WS 2013 tips the scales at 1 549 lbs - 428 lbs less than the Princecraft Xpedition 170 WS 2012 at 1 121 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 Xpedition 200 WS 2013 has a 135-hp advantage over the Princecraft Xpedition 170 WS 2012's 115-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 Xpedition 200 WS 2013 carries 27 gallons versus 20 gallons in the Princecraft Xpedition 170 WS 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 Xpedition 200 WS 2013 is rated for 8 passengers, while the Princecraft Xpedition 170 WS 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 Xpedition 200 WS 2013 could be the deciding factor.