Princecraft Starfish 15 2008 vs Princecraft Starfish 20 2004 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Princecraft Starfish 15 2008 or the Princecraft Starfish 20 2004?

For trailering, the Princecraft Starfish 20 2004 has the edge at 3 lbs dry weight versus 304 lbs for the Princecraft Starfish 15 2008. 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: How many people can each boat hold?

The Princecraft Starfish 15 2008 is Coast Guard rated for 5 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: Do these boats require an oversize trailer permit to tow on US highways?

Both the Princecraft Starfish 15 2008 and Princecraft Starfish 20 2004 share an 73 in. (1.9 m) beam — meaning both sit right at the 8’6" threshold that most US states use for standard-width loads. In most states you can tow at that width without a special permit, but regulations vary. Always check the rules for your state and any states you'll be passing through before your first long haul.

Q: Are the Princecraft Starfish 15 2008 and Princecraft Starfish 20 2004 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Princecraft Starfish 15 2008 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 Starfish 15 2008 vs Princecraft Starfish 20 2004

Princecraft

Princecraft Starfish 15 2008

2008

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Princecraft

Princecraft Starfish 20 2004

2004

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Princecraft Starfish 15 2008 vs Princecraft Starfish 20 2004 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Princecraft Starfish 15 2008 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.

Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling — 40 hp for the Princecraft Starfish 15 2008 and 40 hp for the Princecraft Starfish 20 2004. 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 Starfish 20 2004 is rated for 7 passengers, while the Princecraft Starfish 15 2008 caps at 5. 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 Starfish 15 2008 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

ModelStarfish 15

ModelStarfish 2

Model Year2008

Model Year2004

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam73 in. (1.9 m)

Beam73 in

Beam - Meters1.85

Beam - Inches73

Depth - Detail29 in. (0.7 m)

Depth - Detailnot available

Depth - Centimeters73.66

Depth - Centimetersnot available

Depth - Inches29

Depth - Inchesnot available

Draft [max] - Detail17 in. (0.4 m)

Draft [max] - Detail16 in. apx

Draft [max] - Meters0.43

Draft [max] - Meters0.41

Draft [max] - Inches17

Draft [max] - Inches16

Weight - Detail304 lbs. (138 kg)

Weight - Detail300 lbs

Weight - kg137.89

Weight - kg136.08

Weight - lbs.304

Weight - lbs.3

Width [transom] - Detail63 in. (1.6 m)

Width [transom] - Detailnot available

Height [transom]15 in. (0.4 m)

Height [transom]20 in

Length - Meters4.9

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Feet16

Length - Feetnot available

Length overall - Detail16 ft. 0 in. (4.9 m)

Length overall - Detail16 ft. 0 in

Length overall - Meters4.88

Length overall - Inches192

Body / Hull

Hull materialAluminum

Hull thicknessBottom: 0.072 in. (1.8 mm) Side: 0.064 in. (1.6 mm)

Hull thicknessnot available

Hull typeModified Vee

Hull typenot available

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - DetailPortable

Fuel typeGas

Fuel typenot available

Drive typeOutboard

Drive typenot available

Engine max40 hp (30 kW)

Engine max40 HP

Operational Info

Maximum capacityPerson: 682 lbs. (309 kg) Total: 1,100 lbs. (499 kg)

Maximum capacity1250 lbs

Maximum people5

Maximum people7 Persons

Princecraft Starfish 15 2008 vs Princecraft Starfish 20 2004 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Princecraft Starfish 15 2008 or the Princecraft Starfish 20 2004?

For trailering, the Princecraft Starfish 20 2004 has the edge at 3 lbs dry weight versus 304 lbs for the Princecraft Starfish 15 2008. 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.

How many people can each boat hold?

The Princecraft Starfish 15 2008 is Coast Guard rated for 5 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.

Do these boats require an oversize trailer permit to tow on US highways?

Both the Princecraft Starfish 15 2008 and Princecraft Starfish 20 2004 share an 73 in. (1.9 m) beam — meaning both sit right at the 8’6" threshold that most US states use for standard-width loads. In most states you can tow at that width without a special permit, but regulations vary. Always check the rules for your state and any states you'll be passing through before your first long haul.

Are the Princecraft Starfish 15 2008 and Princecraft Starfish 20 2004 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Princecraft Starfish 15 2008 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 Starfish 15 2008 full specs ← Princecraft Starfish 20 2004 full specs