Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Princecraft Platinum SP 196 I/O 2005 vs Princecraft Starfish 20 2008 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The Princecraft Platinum SP 196 I/O 2005 vs Princecraft Starfish 20 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 Platinum SP 196 I/O 2005 at 19,0 ft versus Princecraft Starfish 20 2008 at 16,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Princecraft Platinum SP 196 I/O 2005 tips the scales at 2 419 lbs — 2 387 lbs more than the Princecraft Starfish 20 2008 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 power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 220 hp, the Princecraft Platinum SP 196 I/O 2005 has a 180-hp advantage over the Princecraft Starfish 20 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 2005 is rated for 9 passengers, while the Princecraft Starfish 20 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 Platinum SP 196 I/O 2005 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Princecraft Platinum SP 196 I/O 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 20 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
ModelPlatinum SP 196 I/O
ModelStarfish 2
Model Year2005
Model Year2008
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] - Detail16 in. (0.4 m)
Draft [max] - Meters0.81
Draft [max] - Meters0.41
Draft [max] - Inches32
Draft [max] - Inches16
Weight - Detail2,419 lbs. (1,097 kg)
Weight - Detail320 lbs. (145 kg)
Weight - kg1097.24
Weight - kg145.15
Weight - lbs.2419
Weight - lbs.32
Width [transom] - Detail80 in. (2.0 m)
Width [transom] - Detail63 in. (1.6 m)
Height [transom]39 in. (1.0 m)
Height [transom]20 in. (0.5 m)
Length - Meters5.9
Length - Meters4.9
Length - Feet19
Length - Feet16
Length - Inches6
Length - Inchesnot available
Length overall - Detail19 ft. 6 in. (5.9 m)
Length overall - Detail16 ft. 0 in. (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 thicknessBottom: 0.072 in. (1.8 mm) Side: 0.064 in. (1.6 m)
Hull materialnot available
Hull materialAluminum
Hull typenot available
Hull typeModified Vee
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail60 gal. Buklt-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 capacityPerson: 885 lbs. (401 kg) Total: 1,303 lbs. (591 kg)
Maximum people9
Maximum people7