Starcraft Marine 2015 OB 2008 vs Starcraft Marine FD 161 OB 2006 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Starcraft Marine 2015 OB 2008 or the Starcraft Marine FD 161 OB 2006?

The Starcraft Marine FD 161 OB 2006 is the longer of the two at 15,0 feet overall. The Starcraft Marine 2015 OB 2008 comes in at 2,0 feet, making it roughly 13,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Starcraft Marine 2015 OB 2008 or the Starcraft Marine FD 161 OB 2006?

For trailering, the Starcraft Marine FD 161 OB 2006 has the edge at 1 948 lbs dry weight versus 2 405 lbs for the Starcraft Marine 2015 OB 2008. 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 2015 OB 2008 is rated to a maximum of 225 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Starcraft Marine FD 161 OB 2006 tops out at 115 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 2015 OB 2008 is Coast Guard rated for 12 passengers, while the Starcraft Marine FD 161 OB 2006 is certified for 9. 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: Which boat has the better power-to-weight ratio?

The Starcraft Marine 2015 OB 2008 has a better power-to-weight ratio at 11 lbs per hp compared to 17 lbs per hp for the Starcraft Marine FD 161 OB 2006. A lower number means quicker acceleration and faster time to plane — the number that actually matters most on short, sporty boats like these.

Q: What do the trailers weigh for the Starcraft Marine 2015 OB 2008 and Starcraft Marine FD 161 OB 2006?

The trailer for the Starcraft Marine 2015 OB 2008 is listed at Package Weight w/ 225 Merc. Verado: 3,590 lbs. (1,628.4 kg) and the Starcraft Marine FD 161 OB 2006 trailer at W/115 Merc 4s: 2,585 lbs. (1,172.6 kg). Always add trailer weight to the boat's dry weight when checking your tow vehicle's gross trailer weight rating.

Q: Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Starcraft Marine 2015 OB 2008 measures 102" wide, compared to 9" for the Starcraft Marine FD 161 OB 2006. 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.

Q: Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Starcraft Marine 2015 OB 2008 or the Starcraft Marine FD 161 OB 2006?

The Starcraft Marine 2015 OB 2008 has the bigger tank at 51 gallons, versus 31 gallons on the Starcraft Marine FD 161 OB 2006. That 20-gallon difference translates to roughly 60–100 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Starcraft Marine 2015 OB 2008 and Starcraft Marine FD 161 OB 2006 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Starcraft Marine 2015 OB 2008 and the Starcraft Marine FD 161 OB 2006 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 2015 OB 2008 vs Starcraft Marine FD 161 OB 2006

Starcraft Marine

Starcraft Marine 2015 OB 2008

2008

View full specs →

Starcraft Marine

Starcraft Marine FD 161 OB 2006

2006

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Starcraft Marine 2015 OB 2008 vs Starcraft Marine FD 161 OB 2006 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Starcraft Marine 2015 OB 2008 vs Starcraft Marine FD 161 OB 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 FD 161 OB 2006 measures 15,0 feet overall (2006), giving it roughly 13,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Starcraft Marine 2015 OB 2008 at 2,0 feet (2008). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Starcraft Marine 2015 OB 2008 tips the scales at 2 405 lbs — 457 lbs more than the Starcraft Marine FD 161 OB 2006 at 1 948 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 225 hp, the Starcraft Marine 2015 OB 2008 has a 110-hp advantage over the Starcraft Marine FD 161 OB 2006's 115-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 2015 OB 2008 carries 51 gallons versus 31 gallons in the Starcraft Marine FD 161 OB 2006. 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 2015 OB 2008 is rated for 12 passengers, while the Starcraft Marine FD 161 OB 2006 caps at 9. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Starcraft Marine 2015 OB 2008 could be the deciding factor.

At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Starcraft Marine 2015 OB 2008 comes in at 11 lbs per hp versus 17 lbs per hp for the Starcraft Marine FD 161 OB 2006. 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.

Bottom line: Choose the Starcraft Marine 2015 OB 2008 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 12 passengers and at 2,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Starcraft Marine FD 161 OB 2006 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 9 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeStarcraft Marine

Model2015 OB

ModelFD 161 OB

Model Year2008

Model Year2006

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam102 in. (259 cm)

Beam90 in. (229 cm)

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Meters2.29

Beam - Inches102

Beam - Inches9

Deadrise13℃ (at transom)

Deadrise20℃

Depth - Detail30 in. (76 cm)

Depth - Detailnot available

Depth - Centimeters76.2

Depth - Centimetersnot available

Depth - Inches3

Depth - Inchesnot available

Weight - DetailBoat Only: 2,405 lbs. (1,090.9 kg)

Weight - Detail1,948 lbs. (883.6 kg)

Weight - kg1090.89

Weight - kg883.6

Weight - lbs.2405

Weight - lbs.1948

Width [transom] - Detail94 in. (239 cm) Chine Width (at transom): 86 in. (218 cm)

Width [transom] - Detail87 in. (221 cm) Chine Width (at transom): 80 in. (203 cm)

Height [transom]For Engine: 25 in. (64 cm)

Height [transom]20 in. (51 cm)

Length - Meters6.2

Length - Meters4.7

Length - Feet2

Length - Feet15

Length - Inches4

Length overall - Detail20 ft. 4 in. (6.2 m)

Length overall - Detail15 ft. 4 in. (4.7 m)

Length overall - Meters6.2

Length overall - Meters4.67

Length overall - Inches244

Length overall - Inches184

Height - Detailnot available

Height - DetailFence: 27 in. (69 cm)

Height - Metersnot available

Height - Meters0.69

Height - Inchesnot available

Height - Inches27

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typeModified Vee

Hull typenot available

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail51 gal. (193.1 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail31 gal. (117.3 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters193.06

Fuel tank capacity - Liters117.35

Fuel tank capacity - Gal51

Fuel tank capacity - Gal31

Fuel typeGas

Fuel typenot available

Drive typeOutboard

Engine max225 hp (168 kW)

Engine max115 hp (86 kw)

Operational Info

Maximum capacity2,485 lbs. (1,127.2 kg)

Maximum capacity2,000 lbs. (907.2 kg)

Maximum people12 or 1,700 lbs. / 12 or 771.1 kg

Maximum people9

Trailer Info

Trailer - Length over all25 ft. 11 in. (7.9 m)

Trailer - WeightPackage Weight w/ 225 Merc. Verado: 3,590 lbs. (1,628.4 kg)

Trailer - WeightW/115 Merc 4s: 2,585 lbs. (1,172.6 kg)

Starcraft Marine 2015 OB 2008 vs Starcraft Marine FD 161 OB 2006 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Starcraft Marine 2015 OB 2008 or the Starcraft Marine FD 161 OB 2006?

The Starcraft Marine FD 161 OB 2006 is the longer of the two at 15,0 feet overall. The Starcraft Marine 2015 OB 2008 comes in at 2,0 feet, making it roughly 13,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which is easier to trailer — the Starcraft Marine 2015 OB 2008 or the Starcraft Marine FD 161 OB 2006?

For trailering, the Starcraft Marine FD 161 OB 2006 has the edge at 1 948 lbs dry weight versus 2 405 lbs for the Starcraft Marine 2015 OB 2008. 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 2015 OB 2008 is rated to a maximum of 225 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Starcraft Marine FD 161 OB 2006 tops out at 115 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 2015 OB 2008 is Coast Guard rated for 12 passengers, while the Starcraft Marine FD 161 OB 2006 is certified for 9. 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 has the better power-to-weight ratio?

The Starcraft Marine 2015 OB 2008 has a better power-to-weight ratio at 11 lbs per hp compared to 17 lbs per hp for the Starcraft Marine FD 161 OB 2006. A lower number means quicker acceleration and faster time to plane — the number that actually matters most on short, sporty boats like these.

What do the trailers weigh for the Starcraft Marine 2015 OB 2008 and Starcraft Marine FD 161 OB 2006?

The trailer for the Starcraft Marine 2015 OB 2008 is listed at Package Weight w/ 225 Merc. Verado: 3,590 lbs. (1,628.4 kg) and the Starcraft Marine FD 161 OB 2006 trailer at W/115 Merc 4s: 2,585 lbs. (1,172.6 kg). Always add trailer weight to the boat's dry weight when checking your tow vehicle's gross trailer weight rating.

Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Starcraft Marine 2015 OB 2008 measures 102" wide, compared to 9" for the Starcraft Marine FD 161 OB 2006. 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 2015 OB 2008 or the Starcraft Marine FD 161 OB 2006?

The Starcraft Marine 2015 OB 2008 has the bigger tank at 51 gallons, versus 31 gallons on the Starcraft Marine FD 161 OB 2006. That 20-gallon difference translates to roughly 60–100 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Starcraft Marine 2015 OB 2008 and Starcraft Marine FD 161 OB 2006 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Starcraft Marine 2015 OB 2008 and the Starcraft Marine FD 161 OB 2006 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 2015 OB 2008 full specs ← Starcraft Marine FD 161 OB 2006 full specs