When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Starcraft Marine 226 4-PT RE CR 2010 and the Starcraft Marine Elite 246 RE CR 2007 are pontoon designs with aluminum construction — the buying decision usually comes down to a handful of practical questions: how many people are you putting on the water, how far do you trailer, and what does your tow vehicle weigh?

On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Starcraft Marine 226 4-PT RE CR 2010 at 22,3 ft versus Starcraft Marine Elite 246 RE CR 2007 at 24,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Starcraft Marine Elite 246 RE CR 2007 tips the scales at 2 417 lbs — 2 222 lbs less than the Starcraft Marine 226 4-PT RE CR 2010 at 195 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 150 hp, the Starcraft Marine Elite 246 RE CR 2007 has a 25-hp advantage over the Starcraft Marine 226 4-PT RE CR 2010's 125-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 226 4-PT RE CR 2010 carries 24 gallons versus 3 gallons in the Starcraft Marine Elite 246 RE CR 2007. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.

Both boats are rated for 14 passengers — a good fit for a family of four or five plus guests. Comfort at capacity is another matter; the longer hull typically means more seat options and better weight distribution.