Starcraft Marine 178 SC 2008 boat specs
Starcraft Marine
Starcraft Marine 178 SC 2008
2008
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VS
Starcraft Marine C-Star 1800 I/O    2004 boat specs
Starcraft Marine
Starcraft Marine C-Star 1800 I/O 2004
2004
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Starcraft Marine 178 SC 2008 vs Starcraft Marine C-Star 1800 I/O 2004 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Starcraft Marine 178 SC 2008 vs Starcraft Marine C-Star 1800 I/O 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 60 hp, the Starcraft Marine 178 SC 2008 has a 41-hp advantage over the Starcraft Marine C-Star 1800 I/O 2004's 19-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 178 SC 2008 carries 21 gallons versus 3 gallons in the Starcraft Marine C-Star 1800 I/O 2004. 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 C-Star 1800 I/O 2004 is rated for 8 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 C-Star 1800 I/O 2004 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Starcraft Marine C-Star 1800 I/O 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 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
ModelC-Star 1800 I/O
Model Year2008
Model Year2004
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam81 in. (205.7 cm)
Beam94 in
Beam - Meters2.06
Beam - Meters2.39
Beam - Inches81
Beam - Inches94
Deadrise10℃ (at transom)
Deadrise15℃
Depth - Detail17 in. (43.2 cm)
Depth - Detailnot available
Depth - Centimeters43.18
Depth - Centimetersnot available
Depth - Inches17
Depth - Inchesnot available
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 - Detail1725 lbs
Weight - kg437.72
Weight - kg782.45
Weight - lbs.965
Weight - lbs.1725
Width [transom] - Detail81 in. (205.7 cm) Chine Width (at transom): 54 in. (137.2 cm)
Width [transom] - Detailnot available
Height [transom]For Engine: 20 in. (51 cm)
Height [transom]not available
Length - Meters5.5
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Feet17
Length - Feetnot available
Length - Inches1
Length - Inchesnot available
Length overall - Detail17 ft. 10 in. (5.5 m)
Length overall - Detail18 ft. 1 in
Length overall - Meters5.44
Length overall - Meters5.51
Length overall - Inches214
Length overall - Inches217
Height - Detailnot available
Height - Detail33 in
Height - Metersnot available
Height - Meters0.84
Height - Inchesnot available
Height - Inches33
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 - Detail30 gal
Fuel tank capacity - Liters79.49
Fuel tank capacity - Liters113.56
Fuel tank capacity - Gal21
Fuel tank capacity - Gal3
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typenot available
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typenot available
Engine max60 hp (44.7 kW)
Engine max19
Operational Info
Maximum capacity1,075 lbs. (488 kg)
Maximum capacity1300 lbs
Maximum people4 or 525 lbs. / 4 or 238.1 kg
Maximum people8 persons
Trailer Info
Trailer - Length over all22 ft. 0 in. (6.7 m)
Trailer - Length over allnot available
Trailer - WeightTowing Weight w/ 60 Merc. 4s: 2,025 lbs. (918.5 kg)
Trailer - Weightnot available

Starcraft Marine 178 SC 2008 vs Starcraft Marine C-Star 1800 I/O 2004 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Starcraft Marine 178 SC 2008 or the Starcraft Marine C-Star 1800 I/O 2004?
For trailering, the Starcraft Marine 178 SC 2008 has the edge at 965 lbs dry weight versus 1 725 lbs for the Starcraft Marine C-Star 1800 I/O 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 178 SC 2008 is rated to a maximum of 60 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Starcraft Marine C-Star 1800 I/O 2004 tops out at 19 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 178 SC 2008 is Coast Guard rated for 4 passengers, while the Starcraft Marine C-Star 1800 I/O 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.
Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?
The Starcraft Marine C-Star 1800 I/O 2004 measures 94" wide, compared to 81" for the Starcraft Marine 178 SC 2008. The US standard-width towing limit is 8’6" (102") in most states — anything over that may need a wide-load permit. Confirm your specific route requirements with each state's DOT.
Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Starcraft Marine 178 SC 2008 or the Starcraft Marine C-Star 1800 I/O 2004?
The Starcraft Marine 178 SC 2008 has the bigger tank at 21 gallons, versus 3 gallons on the Starcraft Marine C-Star 1800 I/O 2004. That 18-gallon difference translates to roughly 54–90 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.
Are the Starcraft Marine 178 SC 2008 and Starcraft Marine C-Star 1800 I/O 2004 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Starcraft Marine 178 SC 2008 and the Starcraft Marine C-Star 1800 I/O 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.