Starcraft Marine 226 Sport RE CR 2005 vs Starcraft Marine Aurora 2015 I/O 2004 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer - the Starcraft Marine 226 Sport RE CR 2005 or the Starcraft Marine Aurora 2015 I/O 2004?

For trailering, the Starcraft Marine 226 Sport RE CR 2005 has the edge at 2 315 lbs dry weight versus 2 380 lbs for the Starcraft Marine Aurora 2015 I/O 2004. 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 Aurora 2015 I/O 2004 is rated to a maximum of 260 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Starcraft Marine 226 Sport RE CR 2005 tops out at 125 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 226 Sport RE CR 2005 is Coast Guard rated for 12 passengers, while the Starcraft Marine Aurora 2015 I/O 2004 is certified for 12. 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: Do these boats require an oversize trailer permit to tow on US highways?

Both the Starcraft Marine 226 Sport RE CR 2005 and Starcraft Marine Aurora 2015 I/O 2004 share an 102 in. (259 cm) beam - meaning both sit right at the 8’6" threshold that most US states use for standard-width loads. In most states you can tow at that width without a special permit, but regulations vary. Always check the rules for your state and any states you'll be passing through before your first long haul.

Q: Which boat has the larger fuel tank - the Starcraft Marine 226 Sport RE CR 2005 or the Starcraft Marine Aurora 2015 I/O 2004?

The Starcraft Marine Aurora 2015 I/O 2004 has the bigger tank at 51 gallons, versus 30 gallons on the Starcraft Marine 226 Sport RE CR 2005. That 21-gallon difference translates to roughly 63–105 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Starcraft Marine 226 Sport RE CR 2005 and Starcraft Marine Aurora 2015 I/O 2004 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the Starcraft Marine 226 Sport RE CR 2005 and the Starcraft Marine Aurora 2015 I/O 2004 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 226 Sport RE CR 2005 vs Starcraft Marine Aurora 2015 I/O 2004

Starcraft Marine

Starcraft Marine 226 Sport RE CR 2005

2005

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Starcraft Marine

Starcraft Marine Aurora 2015 I/O 2004

2004

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Starcraft Marine 226 Sport RE CR 2005 vs Starcraft Marine Aurora 2015 I/O 2004: Same Brand, Different Boat

The Starcraft Marine 226 Sport RE CR 2005 vs Starcraft Marine Aurora 2015 I/O 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 260 hp, the Starcraft Marine Aurora 2015 I/O 2004 has a 135-hp advantage over the Starcraft Marine 226 Sport RE CR 2005'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 Aurora 2015 I/O 2004 carries 51 gallons versus 30 gallons in the Starcraft Marine 226 Sport RE CR 2005. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.

Both boats are rated for 12 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.

Bottom line: Performance buyers should lean toward the Starcraft Marine Aurora 2015 I/O 2004 and its 260-hp ceiling. If fuel economy and quieter running matter more than top-end speed, the Starcraft Marine 226 Sport RE CR 2005 with its 125-hp rating is the more economical daily driver.

General Boat Info

MakeStarcraft Marine

Model226 Sport RE CR

ModelAurora 2015 I/O

Model Year2005

Model Year2004

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam102 in. (259 cm)

Beam102 in.

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Inches102

Weight - Detail2,315 lbs. (1,050.1 kg)

Weight - Detail2380 lbs.

Weight - kg1050.07

Weight - kg1079.55

Weight - lbs.2315

Weight - lbs.2380

Length - Meters6.8

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Feet22

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Inches3

Length - Inchesnot available

Length overall - Detail22 ft. 3 in. (6.8 m)

Length overall - Detail20 ft. 4 in.

Length overall - Meters6.78

Length overall - Meters6.2

Length overall - Inches267

Length overall - Inches244

Deadrisenot available

Deadrise13℃

Height - Detailnot available

Height - Detail30 in.

Height - Metersnot available

Height - Meters0.76

Height - Inchesnot available

Height - Inches30

Pontoon and Inflatable Specific

Tube diameter25 in. (64 cm)

Tube diameternot available

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail30 gal. (113.6 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail51 gal.

Fuel tank capacity - Liters113.56

Fuel tank capacity - Liters193.06

Fuel tank capacity - Gal30

Fuel tank capacity - Gal51

Drive typeOutBoard

Drive typenot available

Engine max125 hp (86 kw)

Engine max260

Operational Info

Maximum capacity2,405 lbs. (1,090.9 kg)

Maximum capacity1890 lbs.

Maximum people12

Maximum people12 persons

Body / Hull

Hull materialnot available

Hull materialFiberglass

Starcraft Marine 226 Sport RE CR 2005 vs Starcraft Marine Aurora 2015 I/O 2004 - Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer - the Starcraft Marine 226 Sport RE CR 2005 or the Starcraft Marine Aurora 2015 I/O 2004?

For trailering, the Starcraft Marine 226 Sport RE CR 2005 has the edge at 2 315 lbs dry weight versus 2 380 lbs for the Starcraft Marine Aurora 2015 I/O 2004. 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 Aurora 2015 I/O 2004 is rated to a maximum of 260 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Starcraft Marine 226 Sport RE CR 2005 tops out at 125 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 226 Sport RE CR 2005 is Coast Guard rated for 12 passengers, while the Starcraft Marine Aurora 2015 I/O 2004 is certified for 12. 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.

Do these boats require an oversize trailer permit to tow on US highways?

Both the Starcraft Marine 226 Sport RE CR 2005 and Starcraft Marine Aurora 2015 I/O 2004 share an 102 in. (259 cm) beam - meaning both sit right at the 8’6" threshold that most US states use for standard-width loads. In most states you can tow at that width without a special permit, but regulations vary. Always check the rules for your state and any states you'll be passing through before your first long haul.

Which boat has the larger fuel tank - the Starcraft Marine 226 Sport RE CR 2005 or the Starcraft Marine Aurora 2015 I/O 2004?

The Starcraft Marine Aurora 2015 I/O 2004 has the bigger tank at 51 gallons, versus 30 gallons on the Starcraft Marine 226 Sport RE CR 2005. That 21-gallon difference translates to roughly 63–105 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Starcraft Marine 226 Sport RE CR 2005 and Starcraft Marine Aurora 2015 I/O 2004 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the Starcraft Marine 226 Sport RE CR 2005 and the Starcraft Marine Aurora 2015 I/O 2004 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 226 Sport RE CR 2005 full specs ← Starcraft Marine Aurora 2015 I/O 2004 full specs