WE SAY The Princecraft Platinum SE
186 proved itself a multispecies boat
with hardcore fishing chops during our
test, yet it possesses enough amenities
to pull duty as a family runabout. Fish-
ing features start with the bow casting
deck; it includes a built-in 17-gallon
livewell. The aft jump seats fold down
to create a second casting deck at the
stern, complete with its own 17-gallon
livewell. A total of six seat bases means
you can move the pedestal seats around
so anglers can stand or sit to their liking.
The lockable in-sole rod locker can hold
six rods. To find the fish, a 7-inch Simrad
evo3 touchscreen multifunction display
comes standard.
Family-friendly? Our test model came
equipped with the optional bowrider
cushions that help turn this boat from
fishing machine to runabout. Add in the
stereo, seven cup holders, telescoping
PRINCECRAFT
Platinum SE 186
SPEED EFFICIENCY OPERATION
rpm knots mph gph naut. mpg stat. mpg range range n. mi. s. mi. angle levelsound
1000 4.43 5.10 1.00 4.43 5.10 148 170 2 68
1500 5.91 6.80 1.60 3.69 4.25 123 142 3 69
2000 7.39 8.50 2.70 2.74 3.15 91 105 6 72
2500 16.16 18.60 3.10 5.21 6.00 174 200 3 73
3000 22.25 25.60 4.50 4.94 5.69 165 189 2 75
3500 26.16 30.10 6.00 4.36 5.02 145 167 2 76
4000 33.19 38.20 8.90 3.73 4.29 124 143 2 76
4500 36.41 41.90 10.70 3.40 3.92 113 130 2 78
5000 40.58 46.70 13.30 3.05 3.51 102 117 2 80
5200 41.71 48.00 14.10 2.96 3.40 99 113 2 81
MOST ECONOMICAL CRUISING SPEED·LOA: 18'6" ·BEAM: 7'11" ·DRAFT: 3'0" ·DISPLACEMENT:
1,651 lb. ·FUEL CAPACITY: 37 gal.HOW WE TESTED
ENGINE: MERCURY 150 FOURSTROKE DRIVE/PROP:
OUTBOARD/ENERTIA 15" X 15" 3-BLADE STAINLESS STEEL
GEAR RATIO: 1.75:1 FUEL LOAD: 17 GAL. CREW WEIGHT:
355 LB.boarding ladder off the transom, and
the pop-up privacy curtain in the aft plat-
form (a portable MSD is optional), and
the boat is perfect for family jaunts.
The Platinum SE 186 has a sharp
entry and a 17-degree transom deadrise
that help it slash through lake chop. A
level, stable-riding boat always paints
a pretty picture. But the hull paint and
construction contribute too. Rather than
attaching the side panels with typical
rivets, Princecraft uses airplane-
grade glue. The resulting
look is sleek and seamless,
as well as structurally
stout. —Pete McDonaldWHO’D WANT ONE
A serious freshwater angler
looking for a multispecies
boat the family can really
enjoy too.TESTS///#3056ANOTHER CHOICE The Ranger
VS1882WT Reata ($33,595 base price
with a 150 hp outboard) is another multi-
species fishing boat.BOTTOM LINE $50,080 (as tested);
princecraft.comPHOTO: COURTESY PRINCECRAFT BOATS