Princecraft Starfish DLX BT 2004 boat specs
Princecraft
Princecraft Starfish DLX BT 2004
2004
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VS
Princecraft Xpedition 170 WS 2012 boat specs
Princecraft
Princecraft Xpedition 170 WS 2012
2012
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Princecraft Starfish DLX BT 2004 vs Princecraft Xpedition 170 WS 2012 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Princecraft Starfish DLX BT 2004 vs Princecraft Xpedition 170 WS 2012 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.

The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 115 hp, the Princecraft Xpedition 170 WS 2012 has a 75-hp advantage over the Princecraft Starfish DLX BT 2004'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 Starfish DLX BT 2004 is rated for 7 passengers, while the Princecraft Xpedition 170 WS 2012 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 DLX BT 2004 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Princecraft Starfish DLX BT 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 Xpedition 170 WS 2012 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 DLX BT
ModelXpedition 170 WS
Model Year2004
Model Year2012
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam73 in
Beam91 in. (2.3 m)
Beam - Meters1.85
Beam - Meters2.31
Beam - Inches73
Beam - Inches91
Draft [max] - Detail17 in. apx
Draft [max] - Detail31 in. (0.8 m)
Draft [max] - Meters0.43
Draft [max] - Meters0.79
Draft [max] - Inches17
Draft [max] - Inches31
Weight - Detail470 lbs
Weight - Detail1,121 lbs. (508 kg)
Weight - kg213.19
Weight - kg508.48
Weight - lbs.47
Weight - lbs.1121
Height [transom]20 in
Height [transom]20 in. (0.5 m)
Length overall - Detail16 ft. 0 in
Length overall - Detail16 ft. 11 in. (5.2 m)
Length overall - Meters4.88
Length overall - Meters5.16
Length overall - Inches192
Length overall - Inches203
Depth - Detailnot available
Depth - Detail35 in. (0.9 m)
Depth - Centimetersnot available
Depth - Centimeters88.9
Depth - Inchesnot available
Depth - Inches35
Width [transom] - Detailnot available
Width [transom] - Detail78 in. (2 m)
Length - Feetnot available
Length - Feet16.92
Body / Hull
Hull materialAluminum
Hull materialAluminum
Hull thicknessnot available
Hull thicknessBottom: 0.100 in. (2.5 mm) Side: 0.072 in. (1.8 mm)
Hull typenot available
Hull typeDeep Vee
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - DetailPortable
Fuel tank capacity - Detail20 gal. (77 l)
Engine max40 HP
Engine maxnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Litersnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Liters75.71
Fuel tank capacity - Galnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Gal2
Fuel typenot available
Fuel typeGas
Drive typenot available
Drive typeOutboard
Horsepowernot available
Horsepower115 hp (86 kW)
Operational Info
Maximum capacity1250 lbs
Maximum capacity1,415 lbs. (642 kg)
Maximum people7 Persons
Maximum people5 / 675 lbs. (306 kg)

Princecraft Starfish DLX BT 2004 vs Princecraft Xpedition 170 WS 2012 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Princecraft Starfish DLX BT 2004 or the Princecraft Xpedition 170 WS 2012?
For trailering, the Princecraft Starfish DLX BT 2004 has the edge at 47 lbs dry weight versus 1 121 lbs for the Princecraft Xpedition 170 WS 2012. 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 Xpedition 170 WS 2012 is rated to a maximum of 115 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Princecraft Starfish DLX BT 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 DLX BT 2004 is Coast Guard rated for 7 passengers, while the Princecraft Xpedition 170 WS 2012 is certified for 5. 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 Xpedition 170 WS 2012 measures 91" wide, compared to 73" for the Princecraft Starfish DLX BT 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 DLX BT 2004 and Princecraft Xpedition 170 WS 2012 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Princecraft Starfish DLX BT 2004 and the Princecraft Xpedition 170 WS 2012 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.