Princecraft PR1236 2008 boat specs
Princecraft
Princecraft PR1236 2008
2008
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VS
Princecraft Starfish DLX BT 2008 boat specs
Princecraft
Princecraft Starfish DLX BT 2008
2008
View full specs →

Princecraft PR1236 2008 vs Princecraft Starfish DLX BT 2008 — Same Brand, Different Boat

Matching a flat Princecraft PR1236 2008 against a modified vee Princecraft Starfish DLX BT 2008 means you're likely deciding between two genuinely different on-water experiences. Hull type shapes everything from ride quality and fuel burn to dock handling and resale trajectory.

Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Princecraft Starfish DLX BT 2008 measures 16,0 feet overall (2008), giving it roughly 5,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Princecraft PR1236 2008 at 11,0 feet (2008). At 14 lbs and 47 lbs respectively, both sit in a similar weight class — either should pair comfortably with most mid-size SUVs and half-ton trucks, though always confirm your specific tow rating with the motor added.

The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 40 hp, the Princecraft Starfish DLX BT 2008 has a 30-hp advantage over the Princecraft PR1236 2008'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 DLX BT 2008 is rated for 7 passengers, while the Princecraft PR1236 2008 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 DLX BT 2008 could be the deciding factor.

At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Princecraft Starfish DLX BT 2008 comes in at 1 lbs per hp versus 1 lbs per hp for the Princecraft PR1236 2008. The lower the ratio the more explosive the acceleration — meaningful on a short RIB where bursts of speed, quick planing, and agility in surf or tight waterways define the experience.

Bottom line: Choose the Princecraft Starfish DLX BT 2008 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 7 passengers and at 16,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Princecraft PR1236 2008 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
MakePrincecraft
ModelPR1236
ModelStarfish DLX BT
Model Year2008
Model Year2008
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam56 in. (1.42 m)
Beam73 in. (1.9 m)
Beam - Meters1.42
Beam - Meters1.85
Beam - Inches56
Beam - Inches73
Depth - Detail17 in. (0.43 m)
Depth - Detail29 in. (0.7 m)
Depth - Centimeters43.18
Depth - Centimeters73.66
Depth - Inches17
Depth - Inches29
Weight - Detail140 lbs. (64 kg)
Weight - Detail470 lbs. (213 kg)
Weight - kg63.5
Weight - kg213.19
Weight - lbs.14
Weight - lbs.47
Width [transom] - Detail36 in. (0.91 m)
Width [transom] - Detail63 in. (1.6 m)
Height [transom]15 in. (0.38 m)
Height [transom]20 in. (0.5 m)
Length - Meters3.63
Length - Meters4.9
Length - Feet11
Length - Feet16
Length - Inches11
Length - Inchesnot available
Length overall - Detail11 ft. 11 in. (3.63 m)
Length overall - Detail16 ft. 0 in. (4.9 m)
Length overall - Meters3.63
Length overall - Meters4.88
Length overall - Inches143
Length overall - Inches192
Draft [max] - Detailnot available
Draft [max] - Detail17 in. (0.4 m)
Draft [max] - Metersnot available
Draft [max] - Meters0.43
Draft [max] - Inchesnot available
Draft [max] - Inches17
Body / Hull
Hull materialAluminum
Hull materialAluminum
Hull thicknessHull: 0.50 in. (0.127 cm)
Hull thicknessBottom: 0.072 in. (1.8 mm) Side: 0.064 in. (1.6 mm)
Hull typeFlat
Hull typeModified Vee
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - DetailPortable
Fuel tank capacity - DetailPortable
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typeGas
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeOutboard
Engine max10 hp (7.5 kW)
Engine max40 hp (30 kW)
Operational Info
Maximum capacityPerson: 325 lbs. (147 kg) Total: 527 lbs. (239 kg)
Maximum capacityPerson: 899 lbs. (408 kg) Total: 1,317 lbs. (597 kg)
Maximum people3
Maximum people7

Princecraft PR1236 2008 vs Princecraft Starfish DLX BT 2008 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Princecraft PR1236 2008 or the Princecraft Starfish DLX BT 2008?
The Princecraft Starfish DLX BT 2008 is the longer of the two at 16,0 feet overall. The Princecraft PR1236 2008 comes in at 11,0 feet, making it roughly 5,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.
Which is easier to trailer — the Princecraft PR1236 2008 or the Princecraft Starfish DLX BT 2008?
For trailering, the Princecraft PR1236 2008 has the edge at 14 lbs dry weight versus 47 lbs for the Princecraft Starfish DLX BT 2008. 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 DLX BT 2008 is rated to a maximum of 40 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Princecraft PR1236 2008 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 PR1236 2008 is Coast Guard rated for 3 passengers, while the Princecraft Starfish DLX BT 2008 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 has the better power-to-weight ratio?
The Princecraft Starfish DLX BT 2008 has a better power-to-weight ratio at 1 lbs per hp compared to 1 lbs per hp for the Princecraft PR1236 2008. A lower number means quicker acceleration and faster time to plane — the number that actually matters most on short, sporty boats like these.
Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?
The Princecraft Starfish DLX BT 2008 measures 73" wide, compared to 56" for the Princecraft PR1236 2008. 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 PR1236 2008 and Princecraft Starfish DLX BT 2008 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Princecraft PR1236 2008 and the Princecraft Starfish DLX BT 2008 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.