By Matt Spencer
Sixty years is a long time for a company in the recreational boat building business. It is quite an impressive feat, considering the many economic shifts the North American continent has experienced during that time. It is especially impressive for a Canadian boat manufacturer, considering many of them have been unable to weather the economic storms. But where others have faltered, Princecraft has soldiered on, built on a foundation as strong and sturdy as its boats.
Princecraft's years of experience in recreational boat building has helped them to know best when to discontinue one model and start fresh with another, much like they have with the all-new Sport 177. The Sport Series is seen as the stepping stone into the company's high-end fishing boats, sitting right below the Super Pro and Platinum series.
New for the 2014 model year, the Sport 177 is 17 feet, 5 inches, with a 92-inch beam. While it may be a new model, it still has many Princecraft hallmarks, including a reverse-chine hull with twin plating at both the chine and the bow.
Princecraft's riveted hulls have an incredibly smooth and stable ride. They are also dry, making them a favourite of tournament anglers and weekend warriors alike. Whether you're chasing big-water walleye or bass in the lilies, the Sport 177 will be right at home.
When you're ready to switch gears for a day of water-skiing or tubing with the family, the Sport 177 also makes that happen. It's an excellent crossover boat with performance to back it up.
Much like most of its siblings, the Princecraft Sport 177 shoots onto plane like a cannon, in just over two seconds. By just over three seconds, it's running strong at 20 mph. Before the stopwatch can hit five seconds, we are at 30 mph.
The Sport 177 is not an overly heavy boat, so a Mercury 150 FourStroke easily delivers exceptional performance numbers. At cruising
speeds, it runs at 35 mph at a leisurely 4000 rpm. Top speed is a blistering 52 mph at 6000 rpm. The 177 is rated for a maximum of 150 hp, so these speeds are on the high end of the performance spectrum. With a more cost-effective 115-hp outboard, you would still get great performance numbers for water sports and serious angling.
Inside, the boat is classic Princecraft, with a nice blend of serious fishing features alongside creature comforts the whole family will appreciate. Some of the fishing highlights include both bow and stern Pro Flow livewells, along with six seat bases for fishing chairs. At day's end, simply store your rods in the locking in-floor storage compartment. And, of course, the boat wouldn't be complete without the bow-mounted electric trolling motor.
Storage is ample, with compartments in the bow, netting under the consoles for small items and locking storage in the portside gunwale locker. To starboard, behind the helm is open gunwale storage that would be great for lines, fenders, or even pliers and scales for weighing your catch.
The 60/40 rear split fold-up seat -- that turns this boat into a runabout in one quick fold -- is an awesome feature not to be overlooked. Behind the bench seat is the optional ski pylon, so you won't need a different boat when it comes time to take the kids skiing or wakeboarding.
All in all, the new Sport 177 will be a welcome addition to the Princecraft family. But as we found, it's a family with a lot of heritage; one built on tradition but not afraid of welcoming new members.
TEST BOAT ENGINE
Mercury 150 FourStroke, 3.0 L/183 cid, 150-hp four-stroke four-cylinder outboard with sequential multipoint electronic fuel injection
ACCELERATION (mph/sec)
0 - 20 / 3.2 ; 0 - 30 / 3.7
TOP SPEED (rpm/mph)
6000 / 52
CRUISING SPEED (rpm/mph)
3000 / 21 ; 3500 / 30 ; 4000 / 35 ; 4500 / 40
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