Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Princecraft 26 SS I/O 2004 vs Princecraft Starfish 20 2012 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The Princecraft 26 SS I/O 2004 vs Princecraft Starfish 20 2012 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 SS I/O 2004 measures 26,0 feet overall (2004), giving it roughly 10,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Princecraft Starfish 20 2012 at 16,0 feet (2012). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Princecraft 26 SS I/O 2004 tips the scales at 3 913 lbs — 3 881 lbs more than the Princecraft Starfish 20 2012 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 20 2012 tops out at 40 hp. Engine specs for the Princecraft 26 SS I/O 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 Starfish 20 2012 is rated for 7 passengers, while the Princecraft 26 SS I/O 2004 caps at 2. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Princecraft Starfish 20 2012 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Princecraft Starfish 20 2012 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 7 passengers and at 16,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Princecraft 26 SS I/O 2004 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 2 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
MakePrincecraft
MakePrincecraft
Model26 SS I/O
ModelStarfish 2
Model Year2004
Model Year2012
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam8 ft. 6 in
Beam73 in. (1.9 m)
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Meters1.85
Beam - Inches102
Beam - Inches73
Weight - Detail3,913 lbs
Weight - Detail320 lbs. (145 kg)
Weight - kg1774.91
Weight - kg145.15
Weight - lbs.3913
Weight - lbs.32
Length - Feet26
Length - Feet16
Length - Inches4
Length - Inchesnot available
Length overall - Detail26 ft. 4 in
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
Tube diameternot available
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine/s standard220 hp
Engine/s standardnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Detail34 gal
Fuel tank capacity - DetailPortable
Fuel tank capacity - Liters128.7
Fuel tank capacity - Litersnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Gal34
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 capacity2,725 lbs
Maximum capacity1,303 lbs. (591 kg)
Maximum people2
Maximum people7 / 885 lbs. (401 kg)
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