Princecraft Resorter DLX BT 2004 vs Princecraft Starfish 20 2012 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Princecraft Resorter DLX BT 2004 or the Princecraft Starfish 20 2012?

For trailering, the Princecraft Resorter DLX BT 2004 has the edge at 4 lbs dry weight versus 32 lbs for the Princecraft Starfish 20 2012. 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 20 2012 is rated to a maximum of 40 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Princecraft Resorter DLX BT 2004 tops out at 30 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 Resorter DLX BT 2004 is Coast Guard rated for 5 passengers, while the Princecraft Starfish 20 2012 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: Do these boats require an oversize trailer permit to tow on US highways?

Both the Princecraft Resorter DLX BT 2004 and Princecraft Starfish 20 2012 share an 73 in beam — meaning both sit right at the 8’6" threshold that most US states use for standard-width loads. In most states you can tow at that width without a special permit, but regulations vary. Always check the rules for your state and any states you'll be passing through before your first long haul.

Q: Are the Princecraft Resorter DLX BT 2004 and Princecraft Starfish 20 2012 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Princecraft Resorter DLX BT 2004 and the Princecraft Starfish 20 2012 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 Resorter DLX BT 2004 vs Princecraft Starfish 20 2012

Princecraft

Princecraft Resorter DLX BT 2004

2004

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Princecraft

Princecraft Starfish 20 2012

2012

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Princecraft Resorter DLX BT 2004 vs Princecraft Starfish 20 2012 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Princecraft Resorter DLX BT 2004 vs Princecraft Starfish 20 2012 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.

Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling — 30 hp for the Princecraft Resorter DLX BT 2004 and 40 hp for the Princecraft Starfish 20 2012. Real-world performance will come down more to which motor is actually bolted on, its load at the time, and whether it's a 4-stroke or 2-stroke setup.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Princecraft Starfish 20 2012 is rated for 7 passengers, while the Princecraft Resorter DLX BT 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 2012 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Princecraft Starfish 20 2012 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 Resorter DLX BT 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

ModelResorter DLX BT

ModelStarfish 2

Model Year2004

Model Year2012

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam73 in

Beam73 in. (1.9 m)

Beam - Meters1.85

Beam - Inches73

Draft [max] - Detail17 in. apx

Draft [max] - Detail16 in. (0.4 m)

Draft [max] - Meters0.43

Draft [max] - Meters0.41

Draft [max] - Inches17

Draft [max] - Inches16

Weight - Detail400 lbs

Weight - Detail320 lbs. (145 kg)

Weight - kg181.44

Weight - kg145.15

Weight - lbs.4

Weight - lbs.32

Height [transom]20 in

Height [transom]20 in. (0.5 m)

Length overall - Detail14 t. 6 in

Length overall - Detail16 ft. (4.9 m)

Length overall - Meters0.15

Length overall - Meters4.88

Length overall - Inches6

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 - Feetnot available

Length - Feet16

Body / Hull

Hull materialAluminum

Hull thicknessnot available

Hull thicknessBottom: 0.072 in. (1.8 mm) Side: 0.064 in. (1.6 m)

Hull typenot available

Hull typeModified Vee

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - DetailPortable

Engine max30 HP

Engine max40 hp (30 kW)

Fuel typenot available

Fuel typeGas

Drive typenot available

Drive typeOutboard

Operational Info

Maximum capacity1000 lbs

Maximum capacity1,303 lbs. (591 kg)

Maximum people5 Persons

Maximum people7 / 885 lbs. (401 kg)

Princecraft Resorter DLX BT 2004 vs Princecraft Starfish 20 2012 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Princecraft Resorter DLX BT 2004 or the Princecraft Starfish 20 2012?

For trailering, the Princecraft Resorter DLX BT 2004 has the edge at 4 lbs dry weight versus 32 lbs for the Princecraft Starfish 20 2012. 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 20 2012 is rated to a maximum of 40 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Princecraft Resorter DLX BT 2004 tops out at 30 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 Resorter DLX BT 2004 is Coast Guard rated for 5 passengers, while the Princecraft Starfish 20 2012 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.

Do these boats require an oversize trailer permit to tow on US highways?

Both the Princecraft Resorter DLX BT 2004 and Princecraft Starfish 20 2012 share an 73 in beam — meaning both sit right at the 8’6" threshold that most US states use for standard-width loads. In most states you can tow at that width without a special permit, but regulations vary. Always check the rules for your state and any states you'll be passing through before your first long haul.

Are the Princecraft Resorter DLX BT 2004 and Princecraft Starfish 20 2012 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Princecraft Resorter DLX BT 2004 and the Princecraft Starfish 20 2012 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 Resorter DLX BT 2004 full specs ← Princecraft Starfish 20 2012 full specs