Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Princecraft Platinum SP 196 I/O 2004 vs Princecraft Starfish 15 2008 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The Princecraft Platinum SP 196 I/O 2004 vs Princecraft Starfish 15 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.
The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 220 hp, the Princecraft Platinum SP 196 I/O 2004 has a 180-hp advantage over the Princecraft Starfish 15 2008'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 2004 is rated for 9 passengers, while the Princecraft Starfish 15 2008 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 2004 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Princecraft Platinum SP 196 I/O 2004 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 9 passengers and at 0,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Princecraft Starfish 15 2008 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
ModelStarfish 15
Model Year2004
Model Year2008
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam96 in
Beam73 in. (1.9 m)
Beam - Meters2.44
Beam - Meters1.85
Beam - Inches96
Beam - Inches73
Draft [max] - Detail32 in
Draft [max] - Detail17 in. (0.4 m)
Draft [max] - Meters0.81
Draft [max] - Meters0.43
Draft [max] - Inches32
Draft [max] - Inches17
Weight - Detail2419 lbs
Weight - Detail304 lbs. (138 kg)
Weight - kg1097.24
Weight - kg137.89
Weight - lbs.2419
Weight - lbs.304
Height - Detail47.5 in
Height - Detailnot available
Height - Meters1.22
Height - Metersnot available
Height - Inches47.5
Height - Inchesnot available
Height [transom]39 in
Height [transom]15 in. (0.4 m)
Length overall - Detail19 ft. 6 in
Length overall - Detail16 ft. 0 in. (4.9 m)
Length overall - Meters5.94
Length overall - Meters4.88
Length overall - Inches234
Length overall - Inches192
Depth - Detailnot available
Depth - Detail29 in. (0.7 m)
Depth - Centimetersnot available
Depth - Centimeters73.66
Depth - Inchesnot available
Depth - Inches29
Width [transom] - Detailnot available
Width [transom] - Detail63 in. (1.6 m)
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Meters4.9
Length - Feetnot available
Length - Feet16
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail60 gal
Fuel tank capacity - DetailPortable
Fuel tank capacity - Liters227.12
Fuel tank capacity - Litersnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Gal6
Fuel tank capacity - Galnot available
Engine max220 HP
Engine max40 hp (30 kW)
Fuel typenot available
Fuel typeGas
Drive typenot available
Drive typeOutboard
Operational Info
Maximum capacity1600 lbs
Maximum capacityPerson: 682 lbs. (309 kg) Total: 1,100 lbs. (499 kg)
Maximum people9 Persons
Maximum people5
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