Princecraft 18 2004 boat specs
Princecraft
Princecraft 18 2004
2004
View full specs →
VS
Princecraft Starfish DLX BT 2008 boat specs
Princecraft
Princecraft Starfish DLX BT 2008
2008
View full specs →

Princecraft 18 2004 vs Princecraft Starfish DLX BT 2008 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Princecraft 18 2004 vs Princecraft Starfish DLX BT 2008 comparison sits squarely in the category of decisions where specs alone won't tell the whole story — intended use, storage, and long-term ownership costs all factor in.

On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Princecraft 18 2004 at 18,0 ft versus Princecraft Starfish DLX BT 2008 at 16,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Princecraft 18 2004 tips the scales at 1 394 lbs — 1 347 lbs more than the Princecraft Starfish DLX BT 2008 at 47 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 Princecraft Starfish DLX BT 2008 tops out at 40 hp. Engine specs for the Princecraft 18 2004 aren't listed — confirm with a dealer before selecting an outboard.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Princecraft 18 2004 is rated for 11 passengers, while the Princecraft Starfish DLX BT 2008 caps at 7. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Princecraft 18 2004 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Princecraft 18 2004 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 11 passengers and at 18,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Princecraft Starfish DLX BT 2008 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 7 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
MakePrincecraft
MakePrincecraft
Model18
ModelStarfish DLX BT
Model Year2004
Model Year2008
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam8 ft. 0 in
Beam73 in. (1.9 m)
Beam - Meters2.44
Beam - Meters1.85
Beam - Inches96
Beam - Inches73
Weight - Detail1,394 lbs
Weight - Detail470 lbs. (213 kg)
Weight - kg632.31
Weight - kg213.19
Weight - lbs.1394
Weight - lbs.47
Length - Feet18
Length - Feet16
Length - Inches4
Length - Inchesnot available
Length overall - Detail18 ft. 4 in
Length overall - Detail16 ft. 0 in. (4.9 m)
Length overall - Meters5.59
Length overall - Meters4.88
Length overall - Inches22
Length overall - Inches192
Depth - Detailnot available
Depth - Detail29 in. (0.7 m)
Depth - Centimetersnot available
Depth - Centimeters73.66
Depth - Inchesnot available
Depth - Inches29
Draft [max] - Detailnot available
Draft [max] - Detail17 in. (0.4 m)
Draft [max] - Metersnot available
Draft [max] - Meters0.43
Draft [max] - Inchesnot available
Draft [max] - Inches17
Width [transom] - Detailnot available
Width [transom] - Detail63 in. (1.6 m)
Height [transom]not available
Height [transom]20 in. (0.5 m)
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Meters4.9
Pontoon and Inflatable Specific
Tube diameter23 in
Tube diameternot available
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine/s standard60 hp
Engine/s standardnot available
Fuel tank capacity - DetailPortable
Fuel tank capacity - DetailPortable
Drive typeOutBoard
Drive typeOutboard
Fuel typenot available
Fuel typeGas
Engine maxnot available
Engine max40 hp (30 kW)
Operational Info
Maximum capacity1,465 lbs
Maximum capacityPerson: 899 lbs. (408 kg) Total: 1,317 lbs. (597 kg)
Maximum people11
Maximum people7
Body / Hull
Hull materialnot available
Hull materialAluminum
Hull thicknessnot available
Hull thicknessBottom: 0.072 in. (1.8 mm) Side: 0.064 in. (1.6 mm)
Hull typenot available
Hull typeModified Vee

Princecraft 18 2004 vs Princecraft Starfish DLX BT 2008 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Princecraft 18 2004 or the Princecraft Starfish DLX BT 2008?
The Princecraft 18 2004 is the longer of the two at 18,0 feet overall. The Princecraft Starfish DLX BT 2008 comes in at 16,0 feet, making it roughly 2,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.
Which is easier to trailer — the Princecraft 18 2004 or the Princecraft Starfish DLX BT 2008?
For trailering, the Princecraft Starfish DLX BT 2008 has the edge at 47 lbs dry weight versus 1 394 lbs for the Princecraft 18 2004. Add a motor (typically 300–500 lbs for an outboard in this class), gear, and a partial fuel load and the difference grows. Lighter is friendlier on smaller tow vehicles and on fuel economy while hauling.
What is the maximum horsepower rating for these boats?
The Princecraft Starfish DLX BT 2008 has a documented max rating of 40 hp. Engine specifications for the Princecraft 18 2004 were not available in our database — check the OEM spec sheet or manufacturer's website for confirmation.
How many people can each boat hold?
The Princecraft 18 2004 is Coast Guard rated for 11 passengers, while the Princecraft Starfish DLX BT 2008 is certified for 7. Note that legal capacity and comfortable capacity aren't always the same thing — on a full day out, most experienced boaters aim for about 80% of the rated number to keep things comfortable.
Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?
The Princecraft 18 2004 measures 96" wide, compared to 73" for the Princecraft Starfish DLX BT 2008. The US standard-width towing limit is 8’6" (102") in most states — anything over that may need a wide-load permit. Confirm your specific route requirements with each state's DOT.
Are the Princecraft 18 2004 and Princecraft Starfish DLX BT 2008 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Princecraft 18 2004 and the Princecraft Starfish DLX BT 2008 are built by Princecraft. That means shared dealer networks, common parts availability, and consistent build quality across the line. The choice between them is essentially a question of how much boat you need, not which brand you trust.