Princecraft Pro 179 LX 2004 boat specs
Princecraft
Princecraft Pro 179 LX 2004
2004
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VS
Princecraft Starfish 20 2013 boat specs
Princecraft
Princecraft Starfish 20 2013
2013
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Princecraft Pro 179 LX 2004 vs Princecraft Starfish 20 2013 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Princecraft Pro 179 LX 2004 vs Princecraft Starfish 20 2013 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 135 hp, the Princecraft Pro 179 LX 2004 has a 95-hp advantage over the Princecraft Starfish 20 2013'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 Starfish 20 2013 is rated for 7 passengers, while the Princecraft Pro 179 LX 2004 caps at 5. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Princecraft Starfish 20 2013 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Princecraft Starfish 20 2013 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 Pro 179 LX 2004 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
ModelPro 179 LX
ModelStarfish 2
Model Year2004
Model Year2013
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam92 in
Beam73 in. (1.9 m)
Beam - Meters2.34
Beam - Meters1.85
Beam - Inches92
Beam - Inches73
Draft [max] - Detail31 in
Draft [max] - Detail16 in. (0.4 m)
Draft [max] - Meters0.79
Draft [max] - Meters0.41
Draft [max] - Inches31
Draft [max] - Inches16
Weight - Detail1129 lbs
Weight - Detail320 lbs. (145 kg)
Weight - kg512.11
Weight - kg145.15
Weight - lbs.1129
Weight - lbs.32
Height - Detail35 in
Height - Detailnot available
Height - Meters0.89
Height - Metersnot available
Height - Inches35
Height - Inchesnot available
Height [transom]20 in
Height [transom]20 in. (0.5 m)
Length overall - Detail17 ft. 10 in
Length overall - Detail16 ft. (4.9 m)
Length overall - Meters5.44
Length overall - Meters4.88
Length overall - Inches214
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) chine
Length - Feetnot available
Length - Feet16
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail35 gal
Fuel tank capacity - DetailPortable
Fuel tank capacity - Liters132.49
Fuel tank capacity - Litersnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Gal35
Fuel tank capacity - Galnot available
Engine max135 HP
Engine max40 hp (30 kW)
Fuel typenot available
Fuel typeGas
Drive typenot available
Drive typeOutboard
Operational Info
Maximum capacity1280 lbs
Maximum capacity1,303 lbs. (591 kg)
Maximum people5 Persons
Maximum people7 / 885 lbs. (401 kg)
Body / Hull
Hull materialnot available
Hull materialAluminum
Hull thicknessnot available
Hull thickness0.072 in. (1.8 mm) bottom 0.064 in. (1.6 mm) side
Hull typenot available
Hull typeDeep Vee

Princecraft Pro 179 LX 2004 vs Princecraft Starfish 20 2013 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Princecraft Pro 179 LX 2004 or the Princecraft Starfish 20 2013?
For trailering, the Princecraft Starfish 20 2013 has the edge at 32 lbs dry weight versus 1 129 lbs for the Princecraft Pro 179 LX 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 Pro 179 LX 2004 is rated to a maximum of 135 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Princecraft Starfish 20 2013 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 Pro 179 LX 2004 is Coast Guard rated for 5 passengers, while the Princecraft Starfish 20 2013 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 Pro 179 LX 2004 measures 92" wide, compared to 73" for the Princecraft Starfish 20 2013. 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 Pro 179 LX 2004 and Princecraft Starfish 20 2013 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Princecraft Pro 179 LX 2004 and the Princecraft Starfish 20 2013 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.