Princecraft Vantage 22 SS

The year 2004 marks Princecraft's 50th year in boatbuilding. The Quebec-based company is the largest aluminum-boat maker in Canada, but its reputation is growing fast in the United States.
We look at the Vantage 22 SS as a perfect introduction to the Princecraft line. It's a model for price-conscious buyers, yet this latest version incorporates a few elite features normally found only on the plush Versailles models.
Foremost are the two large swivel seats up front, with extruded leg supports and high backs. It isn't the type of furniture we find on price-point boats. We also noticed that the upholstery in the love seats and port chaise is more plush this year, the result of an added layer of foam. On the forward deck of our test boat were halogen docking lights with chrome bezels, an option that grabbed some attention around the pier.
We like the seating arrangement of the 22 SS for its spacing and variety. Seven passengers could occupy their own pieces of furniture -- two forward chairs, two love seats, one chaise, the rear bench and the helm seat. Our boat also had an optional pump-out head behind the driver, but we might give that up in favor of a walkway to a transom swim ladder.
As for construction, Princecraft uses the same materials in the Vantage 22 SS that are found in its more expensive series of pontoon boats. The H36 aluminum does not carry a gauge number because it's an aircraft-grade metal. It's also unusual for a value-oriented pontoon to use 25-inch logs (23 inches is typical). The bigger diameter adds buoyancy and increases capacity in terms of people, weight and horsepower.
The high ride gave us a great view over our test lake. It didn't take long to find a top speed, as the 75-hp Mercury powered us to 20 mph in less than six seconds. That's a credit to the big tubes, as are the low noise levels. We found cruising at 3,800 rpm to our taste, partly because the decibels were under 70. For boaters on a budget, it's an appropriate speed for an appropriate boat.
Stats
Length Overall: 22'4" Beam: 8' Dry Weight: 1,800 lb. (w/out engine) Seating/Weight Capacity: 16/2,790 lb. Fuel Capacity: 34 gal. Max HP: 115 MSRP (test boat): $21,283
Test Drive
Test Engine: Mercury 75-hp 4-stroke Test Prop: 11-pitch, aluminum Test Load: People (370 lb.); Fuel (17 gal.) Top Speed: 23.6 MPH @ 6,200 RPM Time to 20 MPH: 5.8 sec.
Notable Features
* Lever snaps the swivel chairs into place so they won't move while under way.
* Optional Clarion CD system is ready for Sirius satellite subscribers.
* Swinging headrest on upward hinge accesses storage under port chaise.
* Rubber tab stops inside each gate prevent metal on metal when swung open.
* Seats are mounted to 4-inch bases to prevent water from collecting.