Starcraft Marine 1789 Tiller 2008 boat specs
Starcraft Marine
Starcraft Marine 1789 Tiller 2008
2008
View full specs →
VS
Starcraft Marine Elite 226  2007 boat specs
Starcraft Marine
Starcraft Marine Elite 226 2007
2007
View full specs →

Starcraft Marine 1789 Tiller 2008 vs Starcraft Marine Elite 226 2007 — Same Brand, Different Boat

Matching a modified vee Starcraft Marine 1789 Tiller 2008 against a pontoon Starcraft Marine Elite 226 2007 means you're likely deciding between two genuinely different on-water experiences. Hull type shapes everything from ride quality and fuel burn to dock handling and resale trajectory.

Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Starcraft Marine Elite 226 2007 measures 22,0 feet overall (2007), giving it roughly 5,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Starcraft Marine 1789 Tiller 2008 at 17,0 feet (2008). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Starcraft Marine Elite 226 2007 tips the scales at 2 315 lbs — 1 570 lbs less than the Starcraft Marine 1789 Tiller 2008 at 745 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 125 hp, the Starcraft Marine Elite 226 2007 has a 75-hp advantage over the Starcraft Marine 1789 Tiller 2008's 50-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 Elite 226 2007 is rated for 12 passengers, while the Starcraft Marine 1789 Tiller 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 Elite 226 2007 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Starcraft Marine Elite 226 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 1789 Tiller 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
Model1789 Tiller
ModelElite 226
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)
Deadrisenot available
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: 745 lbs. (338 kg)
Weight - Detail2,315 lbs. (1,050.1 kg)
Weight - kg337.93
Weight - kg1050.07
Weight - lbs.745
Weight - lbs.2315
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]20 in. (51 cm)
Length - Meters5.5
Length - Meters6.8
Length - Feet17
Length - Feet22
Length - Inches1
Length - Inches3
Length overall - Detail17 ft. 10 in. (5.5 m)
Length overall - Detail22 ft. 3 in. (6.8 m)
Length overall - Meters5.44
Length overall - Meters6.78
Length overall - Inches214
Length overall - Inches267
Height - Detailnot available
Height - DetailFence: 27 in. (69 cm)
Height - Metersnot available
Height - Meters0.69
Height - Inchesnot available
Height - Inches27
Body / Hull
Hull materialAluminum
Hull materialAluminum
Hull thickness0.08 in. (0.203 cm)
Hull thicknessnot available
Hull typeModified Vee
Hull typePontoon
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - DetailPortable
Fuel tank capacity - Detail30 gal. (113.6 l)
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typeGas
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeOutboard
Engine max50 hp (37.3 kW)
Engine max125 hp (93 kW)
Fuel tank capacity - Litersnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Liters113.56
Fuel tank capacity - Galnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Gal3
Operational Info
Maximum capacity1,025 lbs. (465 kg)
Maximum capacity2,405 lbs. (1,090.9 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 allnot available
Trailer - WeightTowing Weight w/ 50 Merc. 4s: 1,750 lbs. (794 kg)
Trailer - Weightnot available
Pontoon and Inflatable Specific
Tube diameternot available
Tube diameter25 in. (64 cm)
Tube gaugenot available
Tube gauge0.080 in. (0.203 cm)

Starcraft Marine 1789 Tiller 2008 vs Starcraft Marine Elite 226 2007 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Starcraft Marine 1789 Tiller 2008 or the Starcraft Marine Elite 226 2007?
The Starcraft Marine Elite 226 2007 is the longer of the two at 22,0 feet overall. The Starcraft Marine 1789 Tiller 2008 comes in at 17,0 feet, making it roughly 5,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.
Which is easier to trailer — the Starcraft Marine 1789 Tiller 2008 or the Starcraft Marine Elite 226 2007?
For trailering, the Starcraft Marine 1789 Tiller 2008 has the edge at 745 lbs dry weight versus 2 315 lbs for the Starcraft Marine Elite 226 2007. 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 Elite 226 2007 is rated to a maximum of 125 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Starcraft Marine 1789 Tiller 2008 tops out at 50 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 1789 Tiller 2008 is Coast Guard rated for 4 passengers, while the Starcraft Marine Elite 226 2007 is certified for 12. 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 Elite 226 2007 measures 102" wide, compared to 81" for the Starcraft Marine 1789 Tiller 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.
Are the Starcraft Marine 1789 Tiller 2008 and Starcraft Marine Elite 226 2007 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Starcraft Marine 1789 Tiller 2008 and the Starcraft Marine Elite 226 2007 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.