Princecraft Scamper 2005 boat specs
Princecraft
Princecraft Scamper 2005
2005
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VS
Princecraft Starfish DLX BT 2012 boat specs
Princecraft
Princecraft Starfish DLX BT 2012
2012
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Princecraft Scamper 2005 vs Princecraft Starfish DLX BT 2012 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Princecraft Scamper 2005 vs Princecraft Starfish DLX BT 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.

On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Princecraft Scamper 2005 at 14,0 ft versus Princecraft Starfish DLX BT 2012 at 16,0 ft. At 15 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 2012 has a 25-hp advantage over the Princecraft Scamper 2005's 15-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load.

Both boats are rated for 4 passengers — a good fit for a family of four or five plus guests. Comfort at capacity is another matter; the longer hull typically means more seat options and better weight distribution.

At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Princecraft Scamper 2005 comes in at 1 lbs per hp versus 1 lbs per hp for the Princecraft Starfish DLX BT 2012. 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: Performance buyers should lean toward the Princecraft Starfish DLX BT 2012 and its 40-hp ceiling. If fuel economy and quieter running matter more than top-end speed, the Princecraft Scamper 2005 with its 15-hp rating is the more economical daily driver.
General Boat Info
MakePrincecraft
MakePrincecraft
ModelScamper
ModelStarfish DLX BT
Model Year2005
Model Year2012
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam58 in. (1.5 m)
Beam73 in. (1.9 m)
Beam - Meters1.47
Beam - Meters1.85
Beam - Inches58
Beam - Inches73
Depth - Detail21 in. (0.5 m)
Depth - Detail29 in. (0.7 m)
Depth - Centimeters53.34
Depth - Centimeters73.66
Depth - Inches21
Depth - Inches29
Draft [max] - Detail13 in. (0.4 m)
Draft [max] - Detail17 in. (0.4 m)
Draft [max] - Meters0.33
Draft [max] - Meters0.43
Draft [max] - Inches13
Draft [max] - Inches17
Weight - Detail150 lbs. (68 kg)
Weight - Detail470 lbs. (213 kg)
Weight - kg68.04
Weight - kg213.19
Weight - lbs.15
Weight - lbs.47
Width [transom] - Detail45 in. (1.1 m)
Width [transom] - Detail63 in. (1.6 m)
Height [transom]15 in. (0.4 m)
Height [transom]20 in. (0.5 m)
Length - Meters4.3
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Feet14
Length - Feet16
Length - Inches4
Length - Inchesnot available
Length overall - Detail14 ft. 4 in. (4.3 m)
Length overall - Detail16 ft. (4.9 m)
Length overall - Meters4.37
Length overall - Meters4.88
Length overall - Inches172
Length overall - Inches192
Body / Hull
Hull thicknessBottom: .051 in. (1.3 mm) Side: .051 in. (1.3 mm)
Hull thicknessBottom: 0.072 in. (1.8 mm) Side: 0.064 in. (1.6 mm)
Hull materialnot available
Hull materialAluminum
Hull typenot available
Hull typeDeep Vee
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - DetailPortable
Fuel tank capacity - DetailPortable
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeOutboard
Engine max15 hp (12 kw)
Engine max40 hp (30 kW)
Fuel typenot available
Fuel typeGas
Operational Info
Maximum capacity750 lbs. (340 kg)
Maximum capacity998 lbs. (453 kg)
Maximum people4
Maximum people4 / 580 lbs. (263 kg)

Princecraft Scamper 2005 vs Princecraft Starfish DLX BT 2012 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Princecraft Scamper 2005 or the Princecraft Starfish DLX BT 2012?
The Princecraft Starfish DLX BT 2012 is the longer of the two at 16,0 feet overall. The Princecraft Scamper 2005 comes in at 14,0 feet, making it roughly 2,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.
Which is easier to trailer — the Princecraft Scamper 2005 or the Princecraft Starfish DLX BT 2012?
For trailering, the Princecraft Scamper 2005 has the edge at 15 lbs dry weight versus 47 lbs for the Princecraft Starfish DLX BT 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 DLX BT 2012 is rated to a maximum of 40 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Princecraft Scamper 2005 tops out at 15 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 Scamper 2005 is Coast Guard rated for 4 passengers, while the Princecraft Starfish DLX BT 2012 is certified for 4. 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 Scamper 2005 has a better power-to-weight ratio at 1 lbs per hp compared to 1 lbs per hp for the Princecraft Starfish DLX BT 2012. 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 2012 measures 73" wide, compared to 58" for the Princecraft Scamper 2005. 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 Scamper 2005 and Princecraft Starfish DLX BT 2012 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Princecraft Scamper 2005 and the Princecraft Starfish DLX BT 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.