Starcraft Marine 161 Cruise 2008 vs Starcraft Marine SeaFarer 14 S 2004 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer - the Starcraft Marine 161 Cruise 2008 or the Starcraft Marine SeaFarer 14 S 2004?

For trailering, the Starcraft Marine SeaFarer 14 S 2004 has the edge at 225 lbs dry weight versus 2 195 lbs for the Starcraft Marine 161 Cruise 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: Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Starcraft Marine 161 Cruise 2008 is rated to a maximum of 115 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Starcraft Marine SeaFarer 14 S 2004 tops out at 30 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.

Q: How many people can each boat hold?

The Starcraft Marine 161 Cruise 2008 is Coast Guard rated for 9 passengers, while the Starcraft Marine SeaFarer 14 S 2004 is certified for 4. 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: Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Starcraft Marine 161 Cruise 2008 measures 90" wide, compared to 67" for the Starcraft Marine SeaFarer 14 S 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.

Q: Are the Starcraft Marine 161 Cruise 2008 and Starcraft Marine SeaFarer 14 S 2004 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the Starcraft Marine 161 Cruise 2008 and the Starcraft Marine SeaFarer 14 S 2004 are built by Starcraft Marine. 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

Starcraft Marine 161 Cruise 2008 vs Starcraft Marine SeaFarer 14 S 2004

Starcraft Marine

Starcraft Marine 161 Cruise 2008

2008

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Starcraft Marine

Starcraft Marine SeaFarer 14 S 2004

2004

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Starcraft Marine 161 Cruise 2008 vs Starcraft Marine SeaFarer 14 S 2004: Same Brand, Different Boat

The Starcraft Marine 161 Cruise 2008 vs Starcraft Marine SeaFarer 14 S 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.

The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 115 hp, the Starcraft Marine 161 Cruise 2008 has a 85-hp advantage over the Starcraft Marine SeaFarer 14 S 2004's 30-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 Starcraft Marine 161 Cruise 2008 is rated for 9 passengers, while the Starcraft Marine SeaFarer 14 S 2004 caps at 4. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Starcraft Marine 161 Cruise 2008 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Starcraft Marine 161 Cruise 2008 if your priority is putting more people on the water - it handles 9 passengers and at 15,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Starcraft Marine SeaFarer 14 S 2004 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 4 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeStarcraft Marine

Model161 Cruise

ModelSeaFarer 14 S

Model Year2008

Model Year2004

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam90 in. (229 cm)

Beam67 in.

Beam - Meters2.29

Beam - Meters1.7

Beam - Inches90

Beam - Inches67

Deadrise20℃ (at transom)

Deadrise8℃

Weight - DetailBoat Only: 2,195 lbs. (995.7 kg)

Weight - Detail225 lbs.

Weight - kg995.63

Weight - kg102.06

Weight - lbs.2195

Weight - lbs.225

Width [transom] - Detail87 in. (221 cm) Chine Width (at transom): 80 in. (203 cm)

Width [transom] - Detailnot available

Height - DetailFence: 27 in. (69 cm)

Height - Detail29 in.

Height - Meters0.69

Height - Meters0.74

Height - Inches27

Height - Inches29

Height [transom]For Engine: 20 in. (51 cm)

Height [transom]15 in.

Length - Meters4.7

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Feet15

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Inches4

Length - Inchesnot available

Length [over all with swim platform]N/A

Length [over all with swim platform]not available

Length overall - Detail15 ft. 4 in. (4.7 m)

Length overall - Detail14 ft. 3 in.

Length overall - Meters4.67

Length overall - Meters4.34

Length overall - Inches184

Length overall - Inches171

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull materialAluminum

Hull typeModified Vee

Hull typenot available

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail23 gal. (87.1 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Liters87.06

Fuel tank capacity - Litersnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Gal23

Fuel tank capacity - Galnot available

Fuel typeGas

Fuel typenot available

Drive typeOutboard

Drive typenot available

Engine max115 hp (86 kW)

Engine max30

Operational Info

Maximum capacity2,000 lbs. (907.2 kg)

Maximum capacity920 lbs.

Maximum people9 or 1,250 lbs. / 9 or 567 kg

Maximum people4 persons

Trailer Info

Trailer - Length over all25 ft. 11 in. (7.9 m)

Trailer - Length over allnot available

Trailer - WeightPackage Weight w/ 115 Merc. 4s: 3,088 lbs. (1,400.7 kg)

Trailer - Weightnot available

Starcraft Marine 161 Cruise 2008 vs Starcraft Marine SeaFarer 14 S 2004 - Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer - the Starcraft Marine 161 Cruise 2008 or the Starcraft Marine SeaFarer 14 S 2004?

For trailering, the Starcraft Marine SeaFarer 14 S 2004 has the edge at 225 lbs dry weight versus 2 195 lbs for the Starcraft Marine 161 Cruise 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.

Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Starcraft Marine 161 Cruise 2008 is rated to a maximum of 115 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Starcraft Marine SeaFarer 14 S 2004 tops out at 30 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 Starcraft Marine 161 Cruise 2008 is Coast Guard rated for 9 passengers, while the Starcraft Marine SeaFarer 14 S 2004 is certified for 4. 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 Starcraft Marine 161 Cruise 2008 measures 90" wide, compared to 67" for the Starcraft Marine SeaFarer 14 S 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 Starcraft Marine 161 Cruise 2008 and Starcraft Marine SeaFarer 14 S 2004 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the Starcraft Marine 161 Cruise 2008 and the Starcraft Marine SeaFarer 14 S 2004 are built by Starcraft Marine. 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.

← Starcraft Marine 161 Cruise 2008 full specs ← Starcraft Marine SeaFarer 14 S 2004 full specs