Starcraft Marine 176 SC 2008 vs Starcraft Marine C-Star 186 DC 2004 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Starcraft Marine 176 SC 2008 or the Starcraft Marine C-Star 186 DC 2004?

For trailering, the Starcraft Marine 176 SC 2008 has the edge at 1 145 lbs dry weight versus 1 265 lbs for the Starcraft Marine C-Star 186 DC 2004. 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 176 SC 2008 is rated to a maximum of 150 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Starcraft Marine C-Star 186 DC 2004 tops out at 15 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 176 SC 2008 is Coast Guard rated for 7 passengers, while the Starcraft Marine C-Star 186 DC 2004 is certified for 8. 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 176 SC 2008 and Starcraft Marine C-Star 186 DC 2004 share an 92 in. (234 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: How do the fuel tanks compare on the Starcraft Marine 176 SC 2008 and Starcraft Marine C-Star 186 DC 2004?

Both boats carry similar fuel loads — 32 gallons and 32 gallons respectively. Range will depend heavily on motor choice, throttle usage, and whether you're on flat lake water or coastal chop.

Q: Are the Starcraft Marine 176 SC 2008 and Starcraft Marine C-Star 186 DC 2004 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Starcraft Marine 176 SC 2008 and the Starcraft Marine C-Star 186 DC 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 176 SC 2008 vs Starcraft Marine C-Star 186 DC 2004

Starcraft Marine

Starcraft Marine 176 SC 2008

2008

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Starcraft Marine

Starcraft Marine C-Star 186 DC 2004

2004

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Starcraft Marine 176 SC 2008 vs Starcraft Marine C-Star 186 DC 2004 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Starcraft Marine 176 SC 2008 vs Starcraft Marine C-Star 186 DC 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 150 hp, the Starcraft Marine 176 SC 2008 has a 135-hp advantage over the Starcraft Marine C-Star 186 DC 2004's 15-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Both carry nearly identical fuel loads — 32 gal and 32 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Starcraft Marine C-Star 186 DC 2004 is rated for 8 passengers, while the Starcraft Marine 176 SC 2008 caps at 7. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Starcraft Marine C-Star 186 DC 2004 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Starcraft Marine C-Star 186 DC 2004 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 8 passengers and at 0,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Starcraft Marine 176 SC 2008 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 7 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeStarcraft Marine

Model176 SC

ModelC-Star 186 DC

Model Year2008

Model Year2004

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam92 in. (234 cm)

Beam92 in

Beam - Meters2.34

Beam - Inches92

Deadrise17℃ (at transom)

Deadrise15℃

Depth - Detail27 in. (69 cm)

Depth - Detailnot available

Depth - Centimeters68.58

Depth - Centimetersnot available

Depth - Inches27

Depth - Inchesnot available

Draft [drive up] - Detail16 in. (41 cm)

Draft [drive up] - Detail13 in

Draft [drive up] meters0.41

Draft [drive up] meters0.33

Draft [drive up] inches16

Draft [drive up] inches13

Draft [max] - Detail28 in. (71 cm)

Draft [max] - Detail25 in

Draft [max] - Meters0.71

Draft [max] - Meters0.64

Draft [max] - Inches28

Draft [max] - Inches25

Weight - DetailBoat Only: 1,145 lbs. (519.4 kg)

Weight - Detail1265 lbs

Weight - kg519.36

Weight - kg573.79

Weight - lbs.1145

Weight - lbs.1265

Width [transom] - Detail90 (228 cm) Chine Width (at transom): 73 in. (185 cm)

Width [transom] - Detailnot available

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

Height [transom]20 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 - Detail18 ft. 5 in

Length overall - Meters5.38

Length overall - Meters5.61

Length overall - Inches212

Length overall - Inches221

Height - Detailnot available

Height - Detail27 in

Height - Metersnot available

Height - Meters0.69

Height - Inchesnot available

Height - Inches27

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 - Detail32 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Liters121.13

Fuel tank capacity - Gal32

Fuel typeGas

Fuel typenot available

Drive typeOutboard

Drive typenot available

Engine max150 hp (112 kW)

Engine max15

Operational Info

Maximum capacity1,700 lbs. (771.1 kg)

Maximum capacity1950 lbs

Maximum people7 or 950 lbs. / 7 or 430.9 kg

Maximum people8 persons

Trailer Info

Trailer - Length over all21 ft. 6 in. (6.6 m)

Trailer - Length over allnot available

Trailer - WeightTowing Weight w/ 150 Mer. Opt.: 2,593 lbs. (1,176.2 kg)

Trailer - Weightnot available

Starcraft Marine 176 SC 2008 vs Starcraft Marine C-Star 186 DC 2004 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Starcraft Marine 176 SC 2008 or the Starcraft Marine C-Star 186 DC 2004?

For trailering, the Starcraft Marine 176 SC 2008 has the edge at 1 145 lbs dry weight versus 1 265 lbs for the Starcraft Marine C-Star 186 DC 2004. 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 176 SC 2008 is rated to a maximum of 150 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Starcraft Marine C-Star 186 DC 2004 tops out at 15 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 176 SC 2008 is Coast Guard rated for 7 passengers, while the Starcraft Marine C-Star 186 DC 2004 is certified for 8. 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 176 SC 2008 and Starcraft Marine C-Star 186 DC 2004 share an 92 in. (234 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.

How do the fuel tanks compare on the Starcraft Marine 176 SC 2008 and Starcraft Marine C-Star 186 DC 2004?

Both boats carry similar fuel loads — 32 gallons and 32 gallons respectively. Range will depend heavily on motor choice, throttle usage, and whether you're on flat lake water or coastal chop.

Are the Starcraft Marine 176 SC 2008 and Starcraft Marine C-Star 186 DC 2004 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Starcraft Marine 176 SC 2008 and the Starcraft Marine C-Star 186 DC 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 176 SC 2008 full specs ← Starcraft Marine C-Star 186 DC 2004 full specs