The Starcraft Marine 226 Cruise 2011 is a pontoon design and the Starcraft Marine Limited 1700 OB 2010 is a modified-V design, so you're likely deciding between two noticeably 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 226 Cruise 2011 measures 22,3 feet overall (2011), giving it roughly 5,4 additional feet of deck space compared to the Starcraft Marine Limited 1700 OB 2010 at 16,8 feet (2010). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Starcraft Marine 226 Cruise 2011 tips the scales at 2 100 lbs - 580 lbs more than the Starcraft Marine Limited 1700 OB 2010 at 1 520 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.

Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling - 150 hp for the Starcraft Marine 226 Cruise 2011 and 130 hp for the Starcraft Marine Limited 1700 OB 2010. Real-world performance will come down more to which motor is actually bolted on, its load at the time, and whether it's a 4-stroke or 2-stroke setup. Both carry nearly identical fuel loads - 24 gal and 23 gal - so range won't be a tiebreaker here.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Starcraft Marine 226 Cruise 2011 is rated for 11 passengers, while the Starcraft Marine Limited 1700 OB 2010 caps at 8. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Starcraft Marine 226 Cruise 2011 could be the deciding factor.