Matching a pontoon Starcraft Marine 206 4-PT CR 2010 against a deep vee Starcraft Marine Explorer 160 SC 2013 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 206 4-PT CR 2010 measures 20,3 feet overall (2010), giving it roughly 4,1 additional feet of deck space compared to the Starcraft Marine Explorer 160 SC 2013 at 16,2 feet (2013). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Starcraft Marine 206 4-PT CR 2010 tips the scales at 185 lbs — 176 lbs more than the Starcraft Marine Explorer 160 SC 2013 at 9 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 115 hp, the Starcraft Marine 206 4-PT CR 2010 has a 40-hp advantage over the Starcraft Marine Explorer 160 SC 2013's 75-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Both carry nearly identical fuel loads — 24 gal and 24 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Starcraft Marine 206 4-PT CR 2010 is rated for 12 passengers, while the Starcraft Marine Explorer 160 SC 2013 caps at 5. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Starcraft Marine 206 4-PT CR 2010 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Starcraft Marine 206 4-PT CR 2010 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 12 passengers and at 20,3 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Starcraft Marine Explorer 160 SC 2013 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 5 that costs less to run day-to-day.