The Princecraft SS 172 2009 vs Princecraft Starfish 15 2006 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 SS 172 2009 at 17,4 ft versus Princecraft Starfish 15 2006 at 16,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Princecraft SS 172 2009 tips the scales at 1 225 lbs — 932 lbs more than the Princecraft Starfish 15 2006 at 293 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 115 hp, the Princecraft SS 172 2009 has a 75-hp advantage over the Princecraft Starfish 15 2006'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 SS 172 2009 is rated for 6 passengers, while the Princecraft Starfish 15 2006 caps at 5. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Princecraft SS 172 2009 could be the deciding factor.
At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Princecraft Starfish 15 2006 comes in at 7 lbs per hp versus 11 lbs per hp for the Princecraft SS 172 2009. 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: Choose the Princecraft SS 172 2009 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 6 passengers and at 17,4 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Princecraft Starfish 15 2006 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 5 that costs less to run day-to-day.