Starcraft Marine 256 RE CR 2008 vs Starcraft Marine Aurora 2000 O/B 2004 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Starcraft Marine 256 RE CR 2008 or the Starcraft Marine Aurora 2000 O/B 2004?

For trailering, the Starcraft Marine Aurora 2000 O/B 2004 has the edge at 2 315 lbs dry weight versus 2 855 lbs for the Starcraft Marine 256 RE CR 2008. 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 256 RE CR 2008 is rated to a maximum of 175 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Starcraft Marine Aurora 2000 O/B 2004 tops out at 2 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 256 RE CR 2008 is Coast Guard rated for 18 passengers, while the Starcraft Marine Aurora 2000 O/B 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 256 RE CR 2008 and Starcraft Marine Aurora 2000 O/B 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 256 RE CR 2008 or the Starcraft Marine Aurora 2000 O/B 2004?

The Starcraft Marine Aurora 2000 O/B 2004 has the bigger tank at 51 gallons, versus 3 gallons on the Starcraft Marine 256 RE CR 2008. That 48-gallon difference translates to roughly 144–240 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Starcraft Marine 256 RE CR 2008 and Starcraft Marine Aurora 2000 O/B 2004 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Starcraft Marine 256 RE CR 2008 and the Starcraft Marine Aurora 2000 O/B 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 256 RE CR 2008 vs Starcraft Marine Aurora 2000 O/B 2004

Starcraft Marine

Starcraft Marine 256 RE CR 2008

2008

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Starcraft Marine

Starcraft Marine Aurora 2000 O/B 2004

2004

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Starcraft Marine 256 RE CR 2008 vs Starcraft Marine Aurora 2000 O/B 2004 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Starcraft Marine 256 RE CR 2008 vs Starcraft Marine Aurora 2000 O/B 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 175 hp, the Starcraft Marine 256 RE CR 2008 has a 173-hp advantage over the Starcraft Marine Aurora 2000 O/B 2004's 2-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 2000 O/B 2004 carries 51 gallons versus 3 gallons in the Starcraft Marine 256 RE CR 2008. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Starcraft Marine 256 RE CR 2008 is rated for 18 passengers, while the Starcraft Marine Aurora 2000 O/B 2004 caps at 12. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Starcraft Marine 256 RE CR 2008 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Starcraft Marine 256 RE CR 2008 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 18 passengers and at 25,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Starcraft Marine Aurora 2000 O/B 2004 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 12 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeStarcraft Marine

Model256 RE CR

ModelAurora 2000 O/B

Model Year2008

Model Year2004

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam102 in. (259 cm)

Beam102 in

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Inches102

Weight - DetailBoat Only: 2,855 lbs. (1,295.3 kg)

Weight - Detail2315 lbs

Weight - kg1295.01

Weight - kg1050.07

Weight - lbs.2855

Weight - lbs.2315

Height - DetailFence: 27 in. (69 cm)

Height - Detail30 in

Height - Meters0.69

Height - Meters0.76

Height - Inches27

Height - Inches3

Height [transom]For Engine: 20 in. (51 cm)

Height [transom]20 in

Length - Meters7.8

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Feet25

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Inches6

Length - Inchesnot available

Length overall - Detail25 ft. 6 in. (7.8 m)

Length overall - Detail20 ft. 4 in

Length overall - Meters7.77

Length overall - Meters6.2

Length overall - Inches306

Length overall - Inches244

Deadrisenot available

Deadrise13℃

Body / Hull

Hull materialAluminum

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typePontoon

Hull typenot available

Pontoon and Inflatable Specific

Tube diameter25 in. (64 cm)

Tube diameternot available

Tube gaugeAluminum: .08 in. (.203 cm)

Tube gaugenot 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 - Gal3

Fuel tank capacity - Gal51

Fuel typeGas

Fuel typenot available

Drive typeOutboard

Drive typenot available

Engine max175 hp (131 kW)

Engine max2

Operational Info

Maximum capacity3,240 lbs. (1,469.7 kg)

Maximum capacity2200 lbs

Maximum people18 or 2,540 lbs. / 14 or 1,152.1 kg

Maximum people12 persons

Starcraft Marine 256 RE CR 2008 vs Starcraft Marine Aurora 2000 O/B 2004 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Starcraft Marine 256 RE CR 2008 or the Starcraft Marine Aurora 2000 O/B 2004?

For trailering, the Starcraft Marine Aurora 2000 O/B 2004 has the edge at 2 315 lbs dry weight versus 2 855 lbs for the Starcraft Marine 256 RE CR 2008. 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 256 RE CR 2008 is rated to a maximum of 175 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Starcraft Marine Aurora 2000 O/B 2004 tops out at 2 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 256 RE CR 2008 is Coast Guard rated for 18 passengers, while the Starcraft Marine Aurora 2000 O/B 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 256 RE CR 2008 and Starcraft Marine Aurora 2000 O/B 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 256 RE CR 2008 or the Starcraft Marine Aurora 2000 O/B 2004?

The Starcraft Marine Aurora 2000 O/B 2004 has the bigger tank at 51 gallons, versus 3 gallons on the Starcraft Marine 256 RE CR 2008. That 48-gallon difference translates to roughly 144–240 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Starcraft Marine 256 RE CR 2008 and Starcraft Marine Aurora 2000 O/B 2004 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Starcraft Marine 256 RE CR 2008 and the Starcraft Marine Aurora 2000 O/B 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 256 RE CR 2008 full specs ← Starcraft Marine Aurora 2000 O/B 2004 full specs