Both the Starcraft Marine 1700 OB Fish 2008 and the Starcraft Marine SF Series 2012 are modified-V designs, the first built in fibreglass and the second in aluminium, 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 1700 OB Fish 2008 at 16,0 ft versus Starcraft Marine SF Series 2012 at 14,2 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Starcraft Marine 1700 OB Fish 2008 tips the scales at 1 520 lbs - 1 335 lbs more than the Starcraft Marine SF Series 2012 at 185 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 1700 OB Fish 2008 has a 95-hp advantage over the Starcraft Marine SF Series 2012's 35-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 1700 OB Fish 2008 is rated for 8 passengers, while the Starcraft Marine SF Series 2012 caps at 3. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Starcraft Marine 1700 OB Fish 2008 could be the deciding factor.

At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Starcraft Marine SF Series 2012 comes in at 5 lbs per hp versus 12 lbs per hp for the Starcraft Marine 1700 OB Fish 2008. 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.