The Princecraft Sportfisher 18 2009 is a pontoon design and the Princecraft Starfish 20 2013 is a deep-V design, so you're likely deciding between two noticeably different on-water experiences. Hull type shapes everything from ride quality and fuel burn to dock handling and resale trajectory.

On paper these two are close siblings in the size department - Princecraft Sportfisher 18 2009 at 18,3 ft versus Princecraft Starfish 20 2013 at 16,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Princecraft Sportfisher 18 2009 tips the scales at 1 394 lbs - 1 074 lbs more than the Princecraft Starfish 20 2013 at 320 lbs. That difference is meaningful if you're working within a half-ton or three-quarter-ton truck's tow rating, especially once you factor in a motor, gear, and fuel.

Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling - 60 hp for the Princecraft Sportfisher 18 2009 and 40 hp for the Princecraft Starfish 20 2013. 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 Sportfisher 18 2009 is rated for 9 passengers, while the Princecraft Starfish 20 2013 caps at 7. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Princecraft Sportfisher 18 2009 could be the deciding factor.