The Starcraft Marine 1700 Sport IO 2008 vs Starcraft Marine Starfish 246 CR 2006 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.
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Starcraft Marine Starfish 246 CR 2006 measures 24,0 feet overall (2006), giving it roughly 8,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Starcraft Marine 1700 Sport IO 2008 at 16,0 feet (2008). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Starcraft Marine Starfish 246 CR 2006 tips the scales at 2 417 lbs — 2 262 lbs less than the Starcraft Marine 1700 Sport IO 2008 at 155 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 135 hp, the Starcraft Marine Starfish 246 CR 2006 has a 131-hp advantage over the Starcraft Marine 1700 Sport IO 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.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Starcraft Marine Starfish 246 CR 2006 is rated for 14 passengers, while the Starcraft Marine 1700 Sport IO 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 Starfish 246 CR 2006 could be the deciding factor.
At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Starcraft Marine Starfish 246 CR 2006 comes in at 18 lbs per hp versus 36 lbs per hp for the Starcraft Marine 1700 Sport IO 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.
The Starcraft Marine Starfish 246 CR 2006 is an inflatable design — lighter, easier to store, and quicker to launch from a beach or dock without a slipway. The Starcraft Marine 1700 Sport IO 2008 is a rigid hull, which typically offers a more confident ride in chop and easier maintenance over the long term.
Bottom line: Choose the Starcraft Marine Starfish 246 CR 2006 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 14 passengers and at 24,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Starcraft Marine 1700 Sport IO 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.