Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Princecraft Platinum SP 196 I/O SE 2005 vs Princecraft Starfish 15 2013 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The Princecraft Platinum SP 196 I/O SE 2005 vs Princecraft Starfish 15 2013 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 Platinum SP 196 I/O SE 2005 at 19,0 ft versus Princecraft Starfish 15 2013 at 16,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Princecraft Platinum SP 196 I/O SE 2005 tips the scales at 2 443 lbs — 2 139 lbs more than the Princecraft Starfish 15 2013 at 304 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 power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 220 hp, the Princecraft Platinum SP 196 I/O SE 2005 has a 180-hp advantage over the Princecraft Starfish 15 2013's 40-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Princecraft Platinum SP 196 I/O SE 2005 is rated for 9 passengers, while the Princecraft Starfish 15 2013 caps at 5. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Princecraft Platinum SP 196 I/O SE 2005 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Princecraft Platinum SP 196 I/O SE 2005 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 9 passengers and at 19,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Princecraft Starfish 15 2013 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 5 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
MakePrincecraft
MakePrincecraft
ModelPlatinum SP 196 I/O SE
ModelStarfish 15
Model Year2005
Model Year2013
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam96 in. (2.4 m)
Beam73 in. (1.9 m)
Beam - Meters2.44
Beam - Meters1.85
Beam - Inches96
Beam - Inches73
Depth - Detail47.5 in. (1.2 m)
Depth - Detail29 in. (0.7 m)
Depth - Centimeters121.92
Depth - Centimeters73.66
Depth - Inches47.5
Depth - Inches29
Draft [max] - Detail32 in. (0.8 m)
Draft [max] - Detail17 in. (0.4 m)
Draft [max] - Meters0.81
Draft [max] - Meters0.43
Draft [max] - Inches32
Draft [max] - Inches17
Weight - Detail2,443 lbs. (1,108 kg)
Weight - Detail304 lbs. (138 kg)
Weight - kg1108.13
Weight - kg137.89
Weight - lbs.2443
Weight - lbs.304
Width [transom] - Detail80 in. (2.0 m)
Width [transom] - Detail63 in. (1.6 m) chine
Height [transom]39 in. (1.0 m)
Height [transom]15 in. (0.4 m)
Length - Meters5.9
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Feet19
Length - Feet16
Length - Inches6
Length - Inchesnot available
Length overall - Detail19 ft. 6 in. (5.9 m)
Length overall - Detail16 ft. (4.9 m)
Length overall - Meters5.94
Length overall - Meters4.88
Length overall - Inches234
Length overall - Inches192
Body / Hull
Hull thicknessBottom: .110 in. (2.8 mm) Side: .072 in. (1.8 mm)
Hull thickness0.072 in. (1.8 mm) bottom 0.064 in. (1.6 mm) side
Hull materialnot available
Hull materialAluminum
Hull typenot available
Hull typeDeep Vee
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail60 gal. Built-in (227 l) (Specifications based on boat equipped with 4.3 l engine)
Fuel tank capacity - DetailPortable
Fuel tank capacity - Liters227.12
Fuel tank capacity - Litersnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Gal6
Fuel tank capacity - Galnot available
Drive typeI/O
Drive typeOutboard
Engine max220 hp (164 kw)
Engine max40 hp (30 kW)
Fuel typenot available
Fuel typeGas
Operational Info
Maximum capacity1,600 lbs. (726 kg)
Maximum capacity1,100 lbs. (499 kg)
Maximum people9
Maximum people5 / 682 lbs. (309 kg)