Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Starcraft Marine 215 I/O 2010 vs Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 196 2004 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The Starcraft Marine 215 I/O 2010 vs Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 196 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 320 hp, the Starcraft Marine 215 I/O 2010 has a 145-hp advantage over the Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 196 2004's 175-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Both carry nearly identical fuel loads — 51 gal and 52 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Starcraft Marine 215 I/O 2010 is rated for 12 passengers, while the Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 196 2004 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 215 I/O 2010 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Starcraft Marine 215 I/O 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 Fishmaster 196 2004 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
MakeStarcraft Marine
Model215 I/O
ModelFishmaster 196
Model Year201
Model Year2004
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Meters2.54
Beam - Inches102
Beam - Inches1
Deadrise13°
Deadrise19℃
Depth - Detail30 in
Depth - Detailnot available
Depth - Centimeters76.2
Depth - Centimetersnot available
Depth - Inches3
Depth - Inchesnot available
Weight - Detail2,380 lbs
Weight - Detail1470 lbs
Weight - kg1079.55
Weight - kg666.78
Weight - lbs.238
Weight - lbs.147
Width [transom] - Detail94 in
Width [transom] - Detailnot available
Length - Feet20.33
Length - Feetnot available
Length overall - Detail20 ft. 4 in
Length overall - Detail19 ft. 9 in
Length overall - Meters6.2
Length overall - Meters6.02
Length overall - Inches244
Length overall - Inches237
Draft [drive up] - Detailnot available
Draft [drive up] - Detail17 in
Draft [drive up] metersnot available
Draft [drive up] meters0.43
Draft [drive up] inchesnot available
Draft [drive up] inches17
Draft [max] - Detailnot available
Draft [max] - Detail29 in
Draft [max] - Metersnot available
Draft [max] - Meters0.74
Draft [max] - Inchesnot available
Draft [max] - Inches29
Height - Detailnot available
Height - Detail31 in
Height - Metersnot available
Height - Meters0.79
Height - Inchesnot available
Height - Inches31
Height [transom]not available
Height [transom]25 in
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialAluminum
Hull typeModified Vee
Hull typenot available
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail51 gal
Fuel tank capacity - Detail52 gal
Fuel tank capacity - Liters193.06
Fuel tank capacity - Liters196.84
Fuel tank capacity - Gal51
Fuel tank capacity - Gal52
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typenot available
Drive typeI/O
Drive typenot available
Engine max320 hp
Engine max175
Operational Info
Maximum capacity1,890 lbs
Maximum capacity2050 lbs
Maximum people12 or 1,700 lbs
Maximum people9 persons
Trailer Info
Trailer - Length over all25 ft. 11 in
Trailer - Length over allnot available
Trailer - WeightTowing Weight: 3,930 lbs
Trailer - Weightnot available