Both the Starcraft Marine 1600 OB 2008 and the Starcraft Marine Sport Runabout 185 I/O Ski Fish 2013 are modified-V designs, both built 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?

Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Starcraft Marine Sport Runabout 185 I/O Ski Fish 2013 measures 18,2 feet overall (2013), giving it roughly 3,2 additional feet of deck space compared to the Starcraft Marine 1600 OB 2008 at 15,0 feet (2008). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Starcraft Marine Sport Runabout 185 I/O Ski Fish 2013 tips the scales at 1 550 lbs - 130 lbs less than the Starcraft Marine 1600 OB 2008 at 1 420 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 220 hp, the Starcraft Marine Sport Runabout 185 I/O Ski Fish 2013 has a 130-hp advantage over the Starcraft Marine 1600 OB 2008's 90-hp ceiling - enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Both carry nearly identical fuel loads - 23 gal and 23 gal - so range won't be a tiebreaker here.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Starcraft Marine Sport Runabout 185 I/O Ski Fish 2013 is rated for 8 passengers, while the Starcraft Marine 1600 OB 2008 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 185 I/O Ski Fish 2013 could be the deciding factor.