Princecraft PR 1236 2012 vs Princecraft Starfish 15 2004 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Princecraft PR 1236 2012 or the Princecraft Starfish 15 2004?

For trailering, the Princecraft PR 1236 2012 has the edge at 14 lbs dry weight versus 293 lbs for the Princecraft Starfish 15 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 Starfish 15 2004 is rated to a maximum of 40 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Princecraft PR 1236 2012 tops out at 10 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 PR 1236 2012 is Coast Guard rated for 3 passengers, while the Princecraft Starfish 15 2004 is certified for 5. 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 Starfish 15 2004 measures 73" wide, compared to 56" for the Princecraft PR 1236 2012. 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 PR 1236 2012 and Princecraft Starfish 15 2004 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Princecraft PR 1236 2012 and the Princecraft Starfish 15 2004 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 PR 1236 2012 vs Princecraft Starfish 15 2004

Princecraft

Princecraft PR 1236 2012

2012

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Princecraft

Princecraft Starfish 15 2004

2004

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Princecraft PR 1236 2012 vs Princecraft Starfish 15 2004 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Princecraft PR 1236 2012 vs Princecraft Starfish 15 2004 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 40 hp, the Princecraft Starfish 15 2004 has a 30-hp advantage over the Princecraft PR 1236 2012's 10-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 Starfish 15 2004 is rated for 5 passengers, while the Princecraft PR 1236 2012 caps at 3. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Princecraft Starfish 15 2004 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Princecraft Starfish 15 2004 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 5 passengers and at 0,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Princecraft PR 1236 2012 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 3 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakePrincecraft

ModelPR 1236

ModelStarfish 15

Model Year2012

Model Year2004

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam56 in. (1.42 m)

Beam73 in

Beam - Meters1.42

Beam - Meters1.85

Beam - Inches56

Beam - Inches73

Depth - DetailSide: 17 in. (0.43 m)

Depth - Detailnot available

Depth - Centimeters43.18

Depth - Centimetersnot available

Depth - Inches17

Depth - Inchesnot available

Weight - Detail140 lbs. (63 kg)

Weight - Detail293 lbs

Weight - kg63.5

Weight - kg132.9

Weight - lbs.14

Weight - lbs.293

Width [transom] - Detail36 in. (0.91 m)

Width [transom] - Detailnot available

Height [transom]15 in. (0.38 m)

Height [transom]15 in

Length - Feet11.92

Length - Feetnot available

Length overall - Detail11 ft. 11 in. (3.63 m)

Length overall - Detail16 ft. 0 in

Length overall - Meters3.63

Length overall - Meters4.88

Length overall - Inches143

Length overall - Inches192

Draft [max] - Detailnot available

Draft [max] - Detail17 in. apx

Draft [max] - Metersnot available

Draft [max] - Meters0.43

Draft [max] - Inchesnot available

Draft [max] - Inches17

Body / Hull

Hull materialAluminum

Hull thickness0.050 in. (1.27 mm)

Hull thicknessnot available

Hull typeFlat

Hull typenot available

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - DetailPortable

Fuel typeGas

Fuel typenot available

Drive typeOutboard

Drive typenot available

Engine max10 hp (7.5 kW)

Engine max40 HP

Operational Info

Maximum capacity527 lbs. (239 kg)

Maximum capacity1100 lbs

Maximum people3 / 325 lbs. (147 kg)

Maximum people5 Persons

Princecraft PR 1236 2012 vs Princecraft Starfish 15 2004 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Princecraft PR 1236 2012 or the Princecraft Starfish 15 2004?

For trailering, the Princecraft PR 1236 2012 has the edge at 14 lbs dry weight versus 293 lbs for the Princecraft Starfish 15 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 Starfish 15 2004 is rated to a maximum of 40 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Princecraft PR 1236 2012 tops out at 10 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 PR 1236 2012 is Coast Guard rated for 3 passengers, while the Princecraft Starfish 15 2004 is certified for 5. 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 Starfish 15 2004 measures 73" wide, compared to 56" for the Princecraft PR 1236 2012. 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 PR 1236 2012 and Princecraft Starfish 15 2004 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Princecraft PR 1236 2012 and the Princecraft Starfish 15 2004 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 PR 1236 2012 full specs ← Princecraft Starfish 15 2004 full specs