Both the Starcraft Marine 160 Freedom TL 2013 and the Starcraft Marine Sport Runabout 172 OB Ski Fish 2013 are modified-V designs, the first built in aluminium and the second in fibreglass, so the buying decision usually comes down to a handful of practical questions: how many people are you putting on the water, how far do you trailer, and what does your tow vehicle weigh?
On paper these two are close siblings in the size department - Starcraft Marine 160 Freedom TL 2013 at 16,9 ft versus Starcraft Marine Sport Runabout 172 OB Ski Fish 2013 at 16,8 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Starcraft Marine Sport Runabout 172 OB Ski Fish 2013 tips the scales at 1 520 lbs - 645 lbs less than the Starcraft Marine 160 Freedom TL 2013 at 875 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 130 hp, the Starcraft Marine Sport Runabout 172 OB Ski Fish 2013 has a 55-hp advantage over the Starcraft Marine 160 Freedom TL 2013's 75-hp ceiling - enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Starcraft Marine Sport Runabout 172 OB Ski Fish 2013 carries 23 gallons versus 18 gallons in the Starcraft Marine 160 Freedom TL 2013. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Starcraft Marine Sport Runabout 172 OB Ski Fish 2013 is rated for 8 passengers, while the Starcraft Marine 160 Freedom TL 2013 caps at 6. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Starcraft Marine Sport Runabout 172 OB Ski Fish 2013 could be the deciding factor.
At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Starcraft Marine Sport Runabout 172 OB Ski Fish 2013 comes in at 12 lbs per hp versus 12 lbs per hp for the Starcraft Marine 160 Freedom TL 2013. 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 Starcraft Marine Sport Runabout 172 OB Ski Fish 2013 if your priority is putting more people on the water - it handles 8 passengers and at 16,8 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Starcraft Marine 160 Freedom TL 2013 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 6 that costs less to run day-to-day.