Princecraft Starfish 15 2004 boat specs
Princecraft
Princecraft Starfish 15 2004
2004
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VS
Princecraft Vectra 17 2010 boat specs
Princecraft
Princecraft Vectra 17 2010
2010
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Princecraft Starfish 15 2004 vs Princecraft Vectra 17 2010 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Princecraft Starfish 15 2004 vs Princecraft Vectra 17 2010 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.

Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling — 40 hp for the Princecraft Starfish 15 2004 and 50 hp for the Princecraft Vectra 17 2010. 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 Vectra 17 2010 is rated for 6 passengers, while the Princecraft Starfish 15 2004 caps at 5. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Princecraft Vectra 17 2010 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Princecraft Vectra 17 2010 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 6 passengers and at 17,7 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Princecraft Starfish 15 2004 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 5 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
MakePrincecraft
MakePrincecraft
ModelStarfish 15
ModelVectra 17
Model Year2004
Model Year201
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam73 in
Beam8 ft. 0 in. (2.4 m)
Beam - Meters1.85
Beam - Meters2.44
Beam - Inches73
Beam - Inches96
Draft [max] - Detail17 in. apx
Draft [max] - Detailnot available
Draft [max] - Meters0.43
Draft [max] - Metersnot available
Draft [max] - Inches17
Draft [max] - Inchesnot available
Weight - Detail293 lbs
Weight - Detail1,312 lbs. (595 kg)
Weight - kg132.9
Weight - kg595.11
Weight - lbs.293
Weight - lbs.1312
Height [transom]15 in
Height [transom]not available
Length overall - Detail16 ft. 0 in
Length overall - Detail17 ft. 8 in. (5.4 m)
Length overall - Meters4.88
Length overall - Meters5.38
Length overall - Inches192
Length overall - Inches212
Length [deck]not available
Length [deck]16 ft. 1 in. (4.9 m)
Length - Feetnot available
Length - Feet17.67
Body / Hull
Hull materialAluminum
Hull materialAluminum
Hull typenot available
Hull typePontoon
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - DetailPortable
Fuel tank capacity - DetailPortable
Engine max40 HP
Engine max50 hp (37 kW)
Fuel typenot available
Fuel typeGas
Drive typenot available
Drive typeOutboard
Operational Info
Maximum capacity1100 lbs
Maximum capacityPerson: 950 lbs. (431 kg) Total: 1,451 lbs. (658 kg)
Maximum people5 Persons
Maximum people6
Pontoon and Inflatable Specific
Tube diameternot available
Tube diameter23 in. (0.58 m)
Tube gaugenot available
Tube gauge0.080 in. (2 mm)
Number of tubesnot available
Number of tubes2

Princecraft Starfish 15 2004 vs Princecraft Vectra 17 2010 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Princecraft Starfish 15 2004 or the Princecraft Vectra 17 2010?
For trailering, the Princecraft Starfish 15 2004 has the edge at 293 lbs dry weight versus 1 312 lbs for the Princecraft Vectra 17 2010. 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 Vectra 17 2010 is rated to a maximum of 50 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Princecraft Starfish 15 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 Starfish 15 2004 is Coast Guard rated for 5 passengers, while the Princecraft Vectra 17 2010 is certified for 6. 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 Vectra 17 2010 measures 96" wide, compared to 73" for the Princecraft Starfish 15 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 Starfish 15 2004 and Princecraft Vectra 17 2010 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Princecraft Starfish 15 2004 and the Princecraft Vectra 17 2010 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.