Princecraft Platinum SP 196 O/B AE 2004 vs Princecraft Starfish DLX BT 2006 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Princecraft Platinum SP 196 O/B AE 2004 or the Princecraft Starfish DLX BT 2006?

For trailering, the Princecraft Starfish DLX BT 2006 has the edge at 47 lbs dry weight versus 1 514 lbs for the Princecraft Platinum SP 196 O/B AE 2004. Add a motor (typically 300–500 lbs for an outboard in this class), gear, and a partial fuel load and the difference grows. Lighter is friendlier on smaller tow vehicles and on fuel economy while hauling.

Q: Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Princecraft Platinum SP 196 O/B AE 2004 is rated to a maximum of 200 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Princecraft Starfish DLX BT 2006 tops out at 40 hp. Keep in mind that maximum ratings are just that — matching the motor to the actual load and usage pattern usually matters more than chasing the ceiling.

Q: How many people can each boat hold?

The Princecraft Platinum SP 196 O/B AE 2004 is Coast Guard rated for 9 passengers, while the Princecraft Starfish DLX BT 2006 is certified for 7. Note that legal capacity and comfortable capacity aren't always the same thing — on a full day out, most experienced boaters aim for about 80% of the rated number to keep things comfortable.

Q: Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Princecraft Platinum SP 196 O/B AE 2004 measures 96" wide, compared to 73" for the Princecraft Starfish DLX BT 2006. The US standard-width towing limit is 8’6" (102") in most states — anything over that may need a wide-load permit. Confirm your specific route requirements with each state's DOT.

Q: Are the Princecraft Platinum SP 196 O/B AE 2004 and Princecraft Starfish DLX BT 2006 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Princecraft Platinum SP 196 O/B AE 2004 and the Princecraft Starfish DLX BT 2006 are built by Princecraft. That means shared dealer networks, common parts availability, and consistent build quality across the line. The choice between them is essentially a question of how much boat you need, not which brand you trust.

Boat Comparison

Princecraft Platinum SP 196 O/B AE 2004 vs Princecraft Starfish DLX BT 2006

Princecraft

Princecraft Platinum SP 196 O/B AE 2004

2004

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Princecraft

Princecraft Starfish DLX BT 2006

2006

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Princecraft Platinum SP 196 O/B AE 2004 vs Princecraft Starfish DLX BT 2006 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Princecraft Platinum SP 196 O/B AE 2004 vs Princecraft Starfish DLX BT 2006 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 200 hp, the Princecraft Platinum SP 196 O/B AE 2004 has a 160-hp advantage over the Princecraft Starfish DLX BT 2006'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 O/B AE 2004 is rated for 9 passengers, while the Princecraft Starfish DLX BT 2006 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 O/B AE 2004 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Princecraft Platinum SP 196 O/B AE 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 DLX BT 2006 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

ModelPlatinum SP 196 O/B AE

ModelStarfish DLX BT

Model Year2004

Model Year2006

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam96 in

Beam73 in. (1.9 m)

Beam - Meters2.44

Beam - Meters1.85

Beam - Inches96

Beam - Inches73

Draft [max] - Detail31 in

Draft [max] - Detail17 in. (0.4 m)

Draft [max] - Meters0.79

Draft [max] - Meters0.43

Draft [max] - Inches31

Draft [max] - Inches17

Weight - Detail1514 lbs

Weight - Detail470 lbs. (213 kg)

Weight - kg686.74

Weight - kg213.19

Weight - lbs.1514

Weight - lbs.47

Height - Detail47.5 in

Height - Detailnot available

Height - Meters1.22

Height - Metersnot available

Height - Inches47.5

Height - Inchesnot available

Height [transom]25 in

Height [transom]20 in. (0.5 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 max200 HP

Engine max40 hp (30 kw)

Fuel typenot available

Fuel typeGas

Drive typenot available

Drive typeOutboard

Operational Info

Maximum capacity1915 lbs

Maximum capacity1,317 lbs. (597 kg)

Maximum people9 Persons

Maximum people7

Body / Hull

Hull thicknessnot available

Hull thicknessBottom: .072 in. (1.8 mm) Side: .064 in. (1.6 mm)

Trailer Info

Trailer - Detailnot available

Trailer - DetailStandard Galvanized Bunk Style Trailer

Trailer - Weightnot available

Trailer - Weight320 lbs. (145 kg)

Princecraft Platinum SP 196 O/B AE 2004 vs Princecraft Starfish DLX BT 2006 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Princecraft Platinum SP 196 O/B AE 2004 or the Princecraft Starfish DLX BT 2006?

For trailering, the Princecraft Starfish DLX BT 2006 has the edge at 47 lbs dry weight versus 1 514 lbs for the Princecraft Platinum SP 196 O/B AE 2004. Add a motor (typically 300–500 lbs for an outboard in this class), gear, and a partial fuel load and the difference grows. Lighter is friendlier on smaller tow vehicles and on fuel economy while hauling.

Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Princecraft Platinum SP 196 O/B AE 2004 is rated to a maximum of 200 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Princecraft Starfish DLX BT 2006 tops out at 40 hp. Keep in mind that maximum ratings are just that — matching the motor to the actual load and usage pattern usually matters more than chasing the ceiling.

How many people can each boat hold?

The Princecraft Platinum SP 196 O/B AE 2004 is Coast Guard rated for 9 passengers, while the Princecraft Starfish DLX BT 2006 is certified for 7. Note that legal capacity and comfortable capacity aren't always the same thing — on a full day out, most experienced boaters aim for about 80% of the rated number to keep things comfortable.

Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Princecraft Platinum SP 196 O/B AE 2004 measures 96" wide, compared to 73" for the Princecraft Starfish DLX BT 2006. The US standard-width towing limit is 8’6" (102") in most states — anything over that may need a wide-load permit. Confirm your specific route requirements with each state's DOT.

Are the Princecraft Platinum SP 196 O/B AE 2004 and Princecraft Starfish DLX BT 2006 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Princecraft Platinum SP 196 O/B AE 2004 and the Princecraft Starfish DLX BT 2006 are built by Princecraft. That means shared dealer networks, common parts availability, and consistent build quality across the line. The choice between them is essentially a question of how much boat you need, not which brand you trust.

← Princecraft Platinum SP 196 O/B AE 2004 full specs ← Princecraft Starfish DLX BT 2006 full specs