Princecraft Sportfisher 20 2009 boat specs
Princecraft
Princecraft Sportfisher 20 2009
2009
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VS
Princecraft Starfish DLX BT 2005 boat specs
Princecraft
Princecraft Starfish DLX BT 2005
2005
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Princecraft Sportfisher 20 2009 vs Princecraft Starfish DLX BT 2005: Same Brand, Different Boat

The Princecraft Sportfisher 20 2009 vs Princecraft Starfish DLX BT 2005 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.

Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Princecraft Sportfisher 20 2009 measures 20,3 feet overall (2009), giving it roughly 4,3 additional feet of deck space compared to the Princecraft Starfish DLX BT 2005 at 16,0 feet (2005). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Princecraft Sportfisher 20 2009 tips the scales at 1 580 lbs - 1 110 lbs more than the Princecraft Starfish DLX BT 2005 at 470 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.

The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 90 hp, the Princecraft Sportfisher 20 2009 has a 50-hp advantage over the Princecraft Starfish DLX BT 2005'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 Sportfisher 20 2009 is rated for 11 passengers, while the Princecraft Starfish DLX BT 2005 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 20 2009 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Princecraft Sportfisher 20 2009 if your priority is putting more people on the water - it handles 11 passengers and at 20,3 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Princecraft Starfish DLX BT 2005 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 7 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
MakePrincecraft
MakePrincecraft
ModelSportfisher 20
ModelStarfish DLX BT
Model Year2009
Model Year2005
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam8 ft. (2.4 m)
Beam73 in. (1.9 m)
Beam - Meters2.44
Beam - Meters1.85
Beam - Inches96
Beam - Inches73
Weight - Detail1,580 lbs. (717 kg)
Weight - Detail470 lbs. (213 kg)
Weight - kg716.68
Weight - kg213.19
Weight - lbs.1580
Weight - lbs.470
Length [at waterline]20 ft. 4 in. (6.2 m)
Length [at waterline]not available
Length [deck]20 ft. (6.1 m)
Length [deck]not available
Length - Feet20.33
Length - Feet16
Length overall - Detail20 ft. 4 in. (6.2 m)
Length overall - Detail16 ft. 0 in. (4.9 m)
Length overall - Meters6.2
Length overall - Meters4.88
Length overall - Inches244
Length overall - Inches192
Depth - Detailnot available
Depth - Detail29 in. (0.7 m)
Depth - Centimetersnot available
Depth - Centimeters73.66
Depth - Inchesnot available
Depth - Inches29
Draft [max] - Detailnot available
Draft [max] - Detail17 in. (0.4 m)
Draft [max] - Metersnot available
Draft [max] - Meters0.43
Draft [max] - Inchesnot available
Draft [max] - Inches17
Width [transom] - Detailnot available
Width [transom] - Detail63 in. (1.6 m)
Height [transom]not available
Height [transom]20 in. (0.5 m)
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Meters4.9
Body / Hull
Hull materialAluminum
Hull materialnot available
Hull typePontoon
Hull typenot available
Hull thicknessnot available
Hull thicknessBottom: .072 in. (1.8 mm) Side: .064 in. (1.6 mm)
Pontoon and Inflatable Specific
Tube diameter25 in. (0.64 m)
Tube diameternot available
Tube gauge0.080 in. (2 mm)
Tube gaugenot available
Number of tubes2
Number of tubesnot available
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail18 gal. (68 l)
Fuel tank capacity - DetailPortable
Fuel tank capacity - Liters68.14
Fuel tank capacity - Litersnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Gal18
Fuel tank capacity - Galnot available
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typenot available
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeOutboard
Engine max90 hp (67 kW)
Engine max40 hp (30 kw)
Operational Info
Maximum capacityPerson: 1,495 lbs. (678 kg) Total: 2,097 lbs. (951 kg)
Maximum capacity1,317 lbs. (597 kg)
Maximum people11
Maximum people7

Princecraft Sportfisher 20 2009 vs Princecraft Starfish DLX BT 2005 - Common Questions

Which is the larger boat - the Princecraft Sportfisher 20 2009 or the Princecraft Starfish DLX BT 2005?
The Princecraft Sportfisher 20 2009 is the longer of the two at 20,3 feet overall. The Princecraft Starfish DLX BT 2005 comes in at 16,0 feet, making it roughly 4,3 ft shorter - a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.
Which is easier to trailer - the Princecraft Sportfisher 20 2009 or the Princecraft Starfish DLX BT 2005?
For trailering, the Princecraft Starfish DLX BT 2005 has the edge at 470 lbs dry weight versus 1 580 lbs for the Princecraft Sportfisher 20 2009. 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 Sportfisher 20 2009 is rated to a maximum of 90 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Princecraft Starfish DLX BT 2005 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 Sportfisher 20 2009 is Coast Guard rated for 11 passengers, while the Princecraft Starfish DLX BT 2005 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 Sportfisher 20 2009 measures 96" wide, compared to 73" for the Princecraft Starfish DLX BT 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 Sportfisher 20 2009 and Princecraft Starfish DLX BT 2005 from the same manufacturer?
Yes - both the Princecraft Sportfisher 20 2009 and the Princecraft Starfish DLX BT 2005 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.