Princecraft Sport 172 2011 vs Princecraft Starfish 20 2004 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Princecraft Sport 172 2011 or the Princecraft Starfish 20 2004?

For trailering, the Princecraft Starfish 20 2004 has the edge at 3 lbs dry weight versus 1 225 lbs for the Princecraft Sport 172 2011. 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 Sport 172 2011 is rated to a maximum of 115 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Princecraft Starfish 20 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 Sport 172 2011 is Coast Guard rated for 6 passengers, while the Princecraft Starfish 20 2004 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: Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Princecraft Sport 172 2011 measures 92" wide, compared to 73" for the Princecraft Starfish 20 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 Sport 172 2011 and Princecraft Starfish 20 2004 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Princecraft Sport 172 2011 and the Princecraft Starfish 20 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 Sport 172 2011 vs Princecraft Starfish 20 2004

Princecraft

Princecraft Sport 172 2011

2011

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Princecraft

Princecraft Starfish 20 2004

2004

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Princecraft Sport 172 2011 vs Princecraft Starfish 20 2004 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Princecraft Sport 172 2011 vs Princecraft Starfish 20 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 115 hp, the Princecraft Sport 172 2011 has a 75-hp advantage over the Princecraft Starfish 20 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 Starfish 20 2004 is rated for 7 passengers, while the Princecraft Sport 172 2011 caps at 6. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Princecraft Starfish 20 2004 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Princecraft Starfish 20 2004 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 7 passengers and at 0,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Princecraft Sport 172 2011 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 6 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakePrincecraft

ModelSport 172

ModelStarfish 2

Model Year2011

Model Year2004

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam92 in. (2.3 m)

Beam73 in

Beam - Meters2.34

Beam - Meters1.85

Beam - Inches92

Beam - Inches73

Depth - Detail39 in. (1.0 m)

Depth - Detailnot available

Depth - Centimeters99.06

Depth - Centimetersnot available

Depth - Inches39

Depth - Inchesnot available

Draft [max] - Detail30 in. (0.8 m)

Draft [max] - Detail16 in. apx

Draft [max] - Meters0.76

Draft [max] - Meters0.41

Draft [max] - Inches3

Draft [max] - Inches16

Weight - Detail1,225 lbs. (556 kg)

Weight - Detail300 lbs

Weight - kg555.65

Weight - kg136.08

Weight - lbs.1225

Weight - lbs.3

Width [transom] - Detail75 in. (1.9 m)

Width [transom] - Detailnot available

Height [transom]25 in. (0.6 m)

Height [transom]20 in

Length - Feet17.42

Length - Feetnot available

Length overall - Detail17 ft. 5 in. (5.3 m)

Length overall - Detail16 ft. 0 in

Length overall - Meters5.31

Length overall - Meters4.88

Length overall - Inches209

Length overall - Inches192

Body / Hull

Hull materialAluminum

Hull thicknessBottom: 0.100 in. (2.5 mm) Side: 0.072 in. (1.8 mm)

Hull thicknessnot available

Hull typeModified Vee

Hull typenot available

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail35 gal. (132 l)

Fuel tank capacity - DetailPortable

Fuel tank capacity - Liters132.49

Fuel tank capacity - Litersnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Gal35

Fuel tank capacity - Galnot available

Fuel typeGas

Fuel typenot available

Engine max115 hp (86 kW)

Engine max40 HP

Operational Info

Maximum capacityPerson: 830 lbs. (376 kg) Total: 1,570 lbs. (712 kg)

Maximum capacity1250 lbs

Maximum people6

Maximum people7 Persons

Princecraft Sport 172 2011 vs Princecraft Starfish 20 2004 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Princecraft Sport 172 2011 or the Princecraft Starfish 20 2004?

For trailering, the Princecraft Starfish 20 2004 has the edge at 3 lbs dry weight versus 1 225 lbs for the Princecraft Sport 172 2011. 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 Sport 172 2011 is rated to a maximum of 115 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Princecraft Starfish 20 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 Sport 172 2011 is Coast Guard rated for 6 passengers, while the Princecraft Starfish 20 2004 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 Sport 172 2011 measures 92" wide, compared to 73" for the Princecraft Starfish 20 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 Sport 172 2011 and Princecraft Starfish 20 2004 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Princecraft Sport 172 2011 and the Princecraft Starfish 20 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 Sport 172 2011 full specs ← Princecraft Starfish 20 2004 full specs