Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Starcraft Marine 178 SC 2008 vs Starcraft Marine Aurora Star Step 200 IO 2007 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The Starcraft Marine 178 SC 2008 vs Starcraft Marine Aurora Star Step 200 IO 2007 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 Aurora Star Step 200 IO 2007 measures 22,0 feet overall (2007), giving it roughly 5,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Starcraft Marine 178 SC 2008 at 17,0 feet (2008). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Starcraft Marine Aurora Star Step 200 IO 2007 tips the scales at 2 325 lbs — 1 360 lbs less than the Starcraft Marine 178 SC 2008 at 965 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 60 hp, the Starcraft Marine 178 SC 2008 has a 55-hp advantage over the Starcraft Marine Aurora Star Step 200 IO 2007's 5-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 Aurora Star Step 200 IO 2007 carries 51 gallons versus 21 gallons in the Starcraft Marine 178 SC 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 Aurora Star Step 200 IO 2007 is rated for 12 passengers, while the Starcraft Marine 178 SC 2008 caps at 4. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Starcraft Marine Aurora Star Step 200 IO 2007 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Starcraft Marine Aurora Star Step 200 IO 2007 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 12 passengers and at 22,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Starcraft Marine 178 SC 2008 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 4 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
MakeStarcraft Marine
MakeStarcraft Marine
Model178 SC
ModelAurora Star Step 200 IO
Model Year2008
Model Year2007
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam81 in. (205.7 cm)
Beam102 in. (259 cm)
Beam - Meters2.06
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Inches81
Beam - Inches102
Deadrise10℃ (at transom)
Deadrise13℃
Depth - Detail17 in. (43.2 cm)
Depth - Detail30 in. (76 cm)
Depth - Centimeters43.18
Depth - Centimeters76.2
Depth - Inches17
Depth - Inches3
Draft [drive up] - Detail7 in. (17.8 cm)
Draft [drive up] - Detailnot available
Draft [drive up] meters0.18
Draft [drive up] metersnot available
Draft [drive up] inches7
Draft [drive up] inchesnot available
Draft [max] - Detail19 in. (48.3 cm)
Draft [max] - Detailnot available
Draft [max] - Meters0.48
Draft [max] - Metersnot available
Draft [max] - Inches19
Draft [max] - Inchesnot available
Weight - DetailBoat Only: 965 lbs. (437.7 kg)
Weight - Detail2,325 lbs. (1,054.6 kg)
Weight - kg437.72
Weight - kg1054.6
Weight - lbs.965
Weight - lbs.2325
Width [transom] - Detail81 in. (205.7 cm) Chine Width (at transom): 54 in. (137.2 cm)
Width [transom] - Detail94 in. (239 cm) Chine Width (at transom): 86 in. (218 cm)
Height [transom]For Engine: 20 in. (51 cm)
Height [transom]not available
Length - Meters5.5
Length - Meters6.9
Length - Feet17
Length - Feet22
Length - Inches1
Length - Inches7
Length overall - Detail17 ft. 10 in. (5.5 m)
Length overall - Detailnot available
Length overall - Meters5.44
Length overall - Metersnot available
Length overall - Inches214
Length overall - Inchesnot available
Length [over all with swim platform]not available
Length [over all with swim platform]22 ft. 7 in. (6.9 m)
Body / Hull
Hull materialAluminum
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull thickness0.08 in. (0.203 cm)
Hull thicknessnot available
Hull typeModified Vee
Hull typenot available
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail21 gal. (79.5 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail51 gal. (193.1 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters79.49
Fuel tank capacity - Liters193.06
Fuel tank capacity - Gal21
Fuel tank capacity - Gal51
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeI/O
Engine max60 hp (44.7 kW)
Engine max5.0 L MPI 260 hp (194 kW)
Operational Info
Maximum capacity1,075 lbs. (488 kg)
Maximum capacity1,890 lbs. (857.3 kg)
Maximum people4 or 525 lbs. / 4 or 238.1 kg
Maximum people12 or 1,700 lbs. (771.1 kg)
Trailer Info
Trailer - Length over all22 ft. 0 in. (6.7 m)
Trailer - Length over all25 in. 11 ft. (7.9 m)
Trailer - WeightTowing Weight w/ 60 Merc. 4s: 2,025 lbs. (918.5 kg)
Trailer - WeightPackage Weight with 5.0 MPI Merc: 3,850 lbs. (1,746.4 kg)