Princecraft Sportfisher 21: Video Boat Review
Like to both fish and lounge? This might be your boat.
Heck, let's be honest. Probably the biggest reason people like pontoon boats is for lounging and relaxing on the water. But that doesn't mean they're not good for other things, too. Take the Princecraft Sportfisher 21, for example. It's great for lounging, but also set up as a capable fishing platform.
What kind of fishing features can you find on this boat? Lots of them. Up forward are a pair of swiveling pedestal chairs, a beefy trolling motor, and twin tackle compartments. It even comes with Humminbird fish finder that has a dedicated, transom-mounted transducer as standard equipment. And don't worry, you can relax and lounge on this boat, too. It's chock-full of comfy seating at most every corner.
Boat Test Notes
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Length | 21'6" |
| Beam | 8'5" |
| Draft (hull) | N/A |
| Deadrise | N/A (Pontoon) |
| Displacement | 1,724 lbs |
| Fuel capacity | 27 gal. |
Concept:
Design a pontoon boat for fishing, while maintaining plenty of relaxation and entertainment space.
Construction:
-25” diameter pontoon logs fabricated from 5052 H-36 aluminum, 0.08” thick.
-Pressure-treated wood deck, covered with marine-grade carpet.
-2.5” extruded aluminum cross-channels
-Extruded aluminum full-length keels.
-V-shaped aluminum engine pods.
-Console is roto-molded poly, but it does have a slick cap to improve appearance.
Performance:
-Top end hit 40.5 MPH with a Mercury 150 FourStroke outboard.
-Best cruise (at about 20 MPH) provides a whopping 5.0 MPG.
| Performance Data | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Test conditions: 10-knot breeze, slight chop, two people onboard. | |||
| RPM | MPH | GPH | MPG |
| 1000 | 4.3 | 0.9 | 5.4 |
| 2000 | 7.5 | 2.0 | 3.8 |
| 3000 | 14.2 | 3.8 | 3.7 |
| 4000 | 26.9 | 7.2 | 3.7 |
| 5000 | 36.7 | 11.5 | 3.2 |
| 6000 | 40.5 | 14.3 | 2.8 |
| Power | Single Mercury 150 FourStroke outboard swinging a three-blade 17” pitch aluminum propeller. | ||
Handling:
-Sport Package (which includes a partial third log) test rig handled well, even at high speed.
-Sailed through a one-foot lake chop without any bumps or thumps.
Unique features:
-Comes with a (small, simplistic) fishfinder.
-Dedicated transducer mount.
-Bow-mounted electric trolling motor, fishfinder, and battery box.
-Rod holders and livewell are options; we think these should be included.
