Starcraft Marine 170 OB 2008 vs Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 196 2004 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Starcraft Marine 170 OB 2008 or the Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 196 2004?

For trailering, the Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 196 2004 has the edge at 147 lbs dry weight versus 1 273 lbs for the Starcraft Marine 170 OB 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 Fishmaster 196 2004 is rated to a maximum of 175 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Starcraft Marine 170 OB 2008 tops out at 150 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 170 OB 2008 is Coast Guard rated for 8 passengers, while the Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 196 2004 is certified for 9. 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 Starcraft Marine 170 OB 2008 and Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 196 2004 share an 100 in. (254 cm) 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: Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Starcraft Marine 170 OB 2008 or the Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 196 2004?

The Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 196 2004 has the bigger tank at 52 gallons, versus 32 gallons on the Starcraft Marine 170 OB 2008. That 20-gallon difference translates to roughly 60–100 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Starcraft Marine 170 OB 2008 and Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 196 2004 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Starcraft Marine 170 OB 2008 and the Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 196 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 170 OB 2008 vs Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 196 2004

Starcraft Marine

Starcraft Marine 170 OB 2008

2008

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Starcraft Marine

Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 196 2004

2004

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Starcraft Marine 170 OB 2008 vs Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 196 2004 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Starcraft Marine 170 OB 2008 vs Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 196 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 175 hp, the Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 196 2004 has a 25-hp advantage over the Starcraft Marine 170 OB 2008's 150-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 Fishmaster 196 2004 carries 52 gallons versus 32 gallons in the Starcraft Marine 170 OB 2008. 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 Fishmaster 196 2004 is rated for 9 passengers, while the Starcraft Marine 170 OB 2008 caps at 8. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 196 2004 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 196 2004 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 9 passengers and at 0,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Starcraft Marine 170 OB 2008 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 8 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeStarcraft Marine

Model170 OB

ModelFishmaster 196

Model Year2008

Model Year2004

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam100 in. (254 cm)

Beam100 in

Beam - Meters2.54

Beam - Inches1

Deadrise19℃ (at transom)

Deadrise19℃

Depth - Detail29 in. (74 cm)

Depth - Detailnot available

Depth - Centimeters73.66

Depth - Centimetersnot available

Depth - Inches29

Depth - Inchesnot available

Draft [drive up] - Detail17 in. (43 cm)

Draft [drive up] - Detail17 in

Draft [drive up] meters0.43

Draft [drive up] inches17

Draft [max] - Detail29 in. (74 cm)

Draft [max] - Detail29 in

Draft [max] - Meters0.74

Draft [max] - Inches29

Weight - DetailBoat Only: 1,273 lbs. (577.4 kg)

Weight - Detail1470 lbs

Weight - kg577.42

Weight - kg666.78

Weight - lbs.1273

Weight - lbs.147

Width [transom] - Detail99 in. (251 cm) Chine Width (at transom): 84 in. (213 cm)

Width [transom] - Detailnot available

Height [transom]For Engine: 25 in. (64 cm)

Height [transom]25 in

Length - Meters5.4

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Feet17

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Inches8

Length - Inchesnot available

Length overall - Detail17 ft. 8 in. (5.4 m)

Length overall - Detail19 ft. 9 in

Length overall - Meters5.38

Length overall - Meters6.02

Length overall - Inches212

Length overall - Inches237

Height - Detailnot available

Height - Detail31 in

Height - Metersnot available

Height - Meters0.79

Height - Inchesnot available

Height - Inches31

Body / Hull

Hull materialAluminum

Hull thickness0.100 in. (0.254 cm)

Hull thicknessnot available

Hull typeModified Vee

Hull typenot available

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail32 gal. (121.1 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail52 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Liters121.13

Fuel tank capacity - Liters196.84

Fuel tank capacity - Gal32

Fuel tank capacity - Gal52

Fuel typeGas

Fuel typenot available

Drive typeOutboard

Drive typenot available

Engine max150 hp (112 kW)

Engine max175

Operational Info

Maximum capacity1,800 lbs. (816.5 kg)

Maximum capacity2050 lbs

Maximum people8 or 1,075 lbs. / 8 or 487.6 kg

Maximum people9 persons

Trailer Info

Trailer - Length over all23 ft. 0 in. (7 m)

Trailer - Length over allnot available

Trailer - WeightTowing Weight w/ 150 Merc. Ver.: 2,976 lbs. (1,349.9 kg)

Trailer - Weightnot available

Starcraft Marine 170 OB 2008 vs Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 196 2004 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Starcraft Marine 170 OB 2008 or the Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 196 2004?

For trailering, the Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 196 2004 has the edge at 147 lbs dry weight versus 1 273 lbs for the Starcraft Marine 170 OB 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 Fishmaster 196 2004 is rated to a maximum of 175 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Starcraft Marine 170 OB 2008 tops out at 150 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 170 OB 2008 is Coast Guard rated for 8 passengers, while the Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 196 2004 is certified for 9. 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 Starcraft Marine 170 OB 2008 and Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 196 2004 share an 100 in. (254 cm) 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.

Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Starcraft Marine 170 OB 2008 or the Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 196 2004?

The Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 196 2004 has the bigger tank at 52 gallons, versus 32 gallons on the Starcraft Marine 170 OB 2008. That 20-gallon difference translates to roughly 60–100 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Starcraft Marine 170 OB 2008 and Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 196 2004 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Starcraft Marine 170 OB 2008 and the Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 196 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 170 OB 2008 full specs ← Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 196 2004 full specs