Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Princecraft 26 LP-SS I/O 2005 vs Princecraft Starfish 2009 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The Princecraft 26 LP-SS I/O 2005 vs Princecraft Starfish 2009 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.
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Princecraft 26 LP-SS I/O 2005 measures 26,0 feet overall (2005), giving it roughly 10,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Princecraft Starfish 2009 at 16,0 feet (2009). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Princecraft 26 LP-SS I/O 2005 tips the scales at 3 913 lbs — 3 881 lbs more than the Princecraft Starfish 2009 at 32 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 2009 tops out at 40 hp. Engine specs for the Princecraft 26 LP-SS I/O 2005 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 26 LP-SS I/O 2005 is rated for 15 passengers, while the Princecraft Starfish 2009 caps at 7. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Princecraft 26 LP-SS I/O 2005 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Princecraft 26 LP-SS I/O 2005 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 15 passengers and at 26,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Princecraft Starfish 2009 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
Model26 LP-SS I/O
ModelStarfish
Model Year2005
Model Year2009
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.6 m)
Beam73 in. (1.9 m)
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Meters1.85
Beam - Inches102
Beam - Inches73
Weight - Detail3,913 lbs. (1,775 kg)
Weight - Detail320 lbs. (145 kg)
Weight - kg1774.91
Weight - kg145.15
Weight - lbs.3913
Weight - lbs.32
Length - Meters8
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Feet26
Length - Feet16
Length - Inches4
Length - Inchesnot available
Length overall - Detail26 ft. 4 in. (8.0 m)
Length overall - Detail16 ft. (4.9 m)
Length overall - Meters8.03
Length overall - Meters4.88
Length overall - Inches316
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] - Detail16 in. (0.4 m)
Draft [max] - Metersnot available
Draft [max] - Meters0.41
Draft [max] - Inchesnot available
Draft [max] - Inches16
Width [transom] - Detailnot available
Width [transom] - Detail63 in. (1.6 m)
Height [transom]not available
Height [transom]20 in. (0.5 m)
Pontoon and Inflatable Specific
Tube diameter25 in. (0.64 m)
Tube diameternot available
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine/s standard220 hp (164 kw)
Engine/s standardnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Detail33 gal. Built-in (125 l)
Fuel tank capacity - DetailPortable
Fuel tank capacity - Liters124.92
Fuel tank capacity - Litersnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Gal33
Fuel tank capacity - Galnot available
Drive typeOutBoard
Drive typeOutboard
Fuel typenot available
Fuel typeGas
Engine maxnot available
Engine max40 hp (30 kW)
Operational Info
Maximum capacity3,080 lbs. (1,397 kg)
Maximum capacityPerson: 885 lbs. (401 kg) Total: 1,303 lbs. (591 kg)
Maximum people15 persons
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 m)
Hull typenot available
Hull typeModified Vee