When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Starcraft Marine 1700 IO Fish 2008 and the Starcraft Marine Sport Runabout 185 I/O Sport 2013 are modified vee designs with fiberglass construction — 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 1700 IO Fish 2008 at 16,0 ft versus Starcraft Marine Sport Runabout 185 I/O Sport 2013 at 18,2 ft. At 155 lbs and 155 lbs respectively, both sit in a similar weight class — either should pair comfortably with most mid-size SUVs and half-ton trucks, though always confirm your specific tow rating with the motor added.

The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 220 hp, the Starcraft Marine Sport Runabout 185 I/O Sport 2013 has a 216-hp advantage over the Starcraft Marine 1700 IO Fish 2008's 4-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.

Both boats are rated for 8 passengers — a good fit for a family of four or five plus guests. Comfort at capacity is another matter; the longer hull typically means more seat options and better weight distribution.