When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Starcraft Marine 246 4 Point RE CR 2008 and the Starcraft Marine Stardeck 226 C-N-F 2012 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 246 4 Point RE CR 2008 at 22,0 ft versus Starcraft Marine Stardeck 226 C-N-F 2012 at 23,8 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Starcraft Marine 246 4 Point RE CR 2008 tips the scales at 2 315 lbs — 2 293 lbs more than the Starcraft Marine Stardeck 226 C-N-F 2012 at 22 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 Stardeck 226 C-N-F 2012 has a 25-hp advantage over the Starcraft Marine 246 4 Point RE CR 2008's 125-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Both carry nearly identical fuel loads — 3 gal and 3 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.

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.