Princecraft Pro 185 GL 2008 vs Princecraft Starfish 15 2004 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer - the Princecraft Pro 185 GL 2008 or the Princecraft Starfish 15 2004?

For trailering, the Princecraft Starfish 15 2004 has the edge at 293 lbs dry weight versus 1 490 lbs for the Princecraft Pro 185 GL 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.

Q: Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Princecraft Pro 185 GL 2008 is rated to a maximum of 175 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Princecraft Starfish 15 2004 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 Pro 185 GL 2008 is Coast Guard rated for 8 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 Pro 185 GL 2008 measures 95" wide, compared to 73" for the Princecraft Starfish 15 2004. 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 Pro 185 GL 2008 and Princecraft Starfish 15 2004 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the Princecraft Pro 185 GL 2008 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 Pro 185 GL 2008 vs Princecraft Starfish 15 2004

Princecraft

Princecraft Pro 185 GL 2008

2008

View full specs →

Princecraft

Princecraft Starfish 15 2004

2004

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Princecraft Pro 185 GL 2008 vs Princecraft Starfish 15 2004: Same Brand, Different Boat

The Princecraft Pro 185 GL 2008 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 175 hp, the Princecraft Pro 185 GL 2008 has a 135-hp advantage over the Princecraft Starfish 15 2004'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 Pro 185 GL 2008 is rated for 8 passengers, while the Princecraft Starfish 15 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 Pro 185 GL 2008 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Princecraft Pro 185 GL 2008 if your priority is putting more people on the water - it handles 8 passengers and at 18,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Princecraft Starfish 15 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

ModelPro 185 GL

ModelStarfish 15

Model Year2008

Model Year2004

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam95 in. (2.4 m)

Beam73 in.

Beam - Meters2.41

Beam - Meters1.85

Beam - Inches95

Beam - Inches73

Depth - Detail46 in. (1.2 m)

Depth - Detailnot available

Depth - Centimeters116.84

Depth - Centimetersnot available

Depth - Inches46

Depth - Inchesnot available

Draft [max] - Detail33 in. (0.8 m)

Draft [max] - Detail17 in. apx.

Draft [max] - Meters0.84

Draft [max] - Meters0.43

Draft [max] - Inches33

Draft [max] - Inches17

Weight - Detail1,490 lbs. (676 kg)

Weight - Detail293 lbs.

Weight - kg675.85

Weight - kg132.9

Weight - lbs.1490

Weight - lbs.293

Width [transom] - Detail80 in. (2.0 m)

Width [transom] - Detailnot available

Height [transom]25 in. (0.6 m)

Height [transom]15 in.

Length - Meters5.6

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Feet18

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Inches6

Length - Inchesnot available

Length overall - Detail18 ft. 6 in. (5.6 m)

Length overall - Detail16 ft. 0 in.

Length overall - Meters5.64

Length overall - Meters4.88

Length overall - Inches222

Length overall - Inches192

Body / Hull

Hull materialAluminum

Hull thicknessBottom: 0.110 in. (2.8 mm); Side: 0.072 in. (1.8 mm)

Hull thicknessnot available

Hull typeModified Vee

Hull typenot available

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail40 gal. (151 l)

Fuel tank capacity - DetailPortable

Fuel tank capacity - Liters151.42

Fuel tank capacity - Litersnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Gal40

Fuel tank capacity - Galnot available

Fuel typeGas

Fuel typenot available

Drive typeOutboard

Drive typenot available

Engine max175 hp (131 kW)

Engine max40 HP

Operational Info

Maximum capacityPerson: 1,158 lbs. (525 kg); Total: 1,902 lbs. (863 kg)

Maximum capacity1100 lbs.

Maximum people8

Maximum people5 Persons

Princecraft Pro 185 GL 2008 vs Princecraft Starfish 15 2004 - Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer - the Princecraft Pro 185 GL 2008 or the Princecraft Starfish 15 2004?

For trailering, the Princecraft Starfish 15 2004 has the edge at 293 lbs dry weight versus 1 490 lbs for the Princecraft Pro 185 GL 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 Pro 185 GL 2008 is rated to a maximum of 175 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Princecraft Starfish 15 2004 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 185 GL 2008 is Coast Guard rated for 8 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 Pro 185 GL 2008 measures 95" wide, compared to 73" for the Princecraft Starfish 15 2004. 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 185 GL 2008 and Princecraft Starfish 15 2004 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the Princecraft Pro 185 GL 2008 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 Pro 185 GL 2008 full specs ← Princecraft Starfish 15 2004 full specs