Starcraft Marine 256 RE CR 2008 vs Starcraft Marine C-Star 170 SC 2004 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer - the Starcraft Marine 256 RE CR 2008 or the Starcraft Marine C-Star 170 SC 2004?

For trailering, the Starcraft Marine C-Star 170 SC 2004 has the edge at 1 140 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 C-Star 170 SC 2004 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 256 RE CR 2008 is Coast Guard rated for 18 passengers, while the Starcraft Marine C-Star 170 SC 2004 is certified for 6. 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: Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Starcraft Marine 256 RE CR 2008 measures 102" wide, compared to 90" for the Starcraft Marine C-Star 170 SC 2004. The US standard-width towing limit is 8’6" (102") in most states - anything over that may need a wide-load permit. Confirm your specific route requirements with each state's DOT.

Q: How do the fuel tanks compare on the Starcraft Marine 256 RE CR 2008 and Starcraft Marine C-Star 170 SC 2004?

Both boats carry similar fuel loads - 30 gallons and 32 gallons respectively. Range will depend heavily on motor choice, throttle usage, and whether you're on flat lake water or coastal chop.

Q: Are the Starcraft Marine 256 RE CR 2008 and Starcraft Marine C-Star 170 SC 2004 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the Starcraft Marine 256 RE CR 2008 and the Starcraft Marine C-Star 170 SC 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 C-Star 170 SC 2004

Starcraft Marine

Starcraft Marine 256 RE CR 2008

2008

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Starcraft Marine

Starcraft Marine C-Star 170 SC 2004

2004

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Starcraft Marine 256 RE CR 2008 vs Starcraft Marine C-Star 170 SC 2004: Same Brand, Different Boat

The Starcraft Marine 256 RE CR 2008 vs Starcraft Marine C-Star 170 SC 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 50-hp advantage over the Starcraft Marine C-Star 170 SC 2004'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 - 30 gal and 32 gal - so range won't be a tiebreaker here.

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 C-Star 170 SC 2004 caps at 6. 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 C-Star 170 SC 2004 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 6 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeStarcraft Marine

Model256 RE CR

ModelC-Star 170 SC

Model Year2008

Model Year2004

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam102 in. (259 cm)

Beam90 in.

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Meters2.29

Beam - Inches102

Beam - Inches90

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

Weight - Detail1140 lbs.

Weight - kg1295.01

Weight - kg517.09

Weight - lbs.2855

Weight - lbs.1140

Height - DetailFence: 27 in. (69 cm)

Height - Detail27 in.

Height - Meters0.69

Height - Inches27

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 - Detail16 ft. 10 in.

Length overall - Meters7.77

Length overall - Meters5.13

Length overall - Inches306

Length overall - Inches202

Deadrisenot available

Deadrise15℃

Draft [drive up] - Detailnot available

Draft [drive up] - Detail11 in.

Draft [drive up] metersnot available

Draft [drive up] meters0.28

Draft [drive up] inchesnot available

Draft [drive up] inches11

Draft [max] - Detailnot available

Draft [max] - Detail22 in.

Draft [max] - Metersnot available

Draft [max] - Meters0.56

Draft [max] - Inchesnot available

Draft [max] - Inches22

Body / Hull

Hull materialAluminum

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 - Detail32 gal.

Fuel tank capacity - Liters113.56

Fuel tank capacity - Liters121.13

Fuel tank capacity - Gal30

Fuel tank capacity - Gal32

Fuel typeGas

Fuel typenot available

Drive typeOutboard

Drive typenot available

Engine max175 hp (131 kW)

Engine max125

Operational Info

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

Maximum capacity1555 lbs.

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

Maximum people6 persons

Starcraft Marine 256 RE CR 2008 vs Starcraft Marine C-Star 170 SC 2004 - Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer - the Starcraft Marine 256 RE CR 2008 or the Starcraft Marine C-Star 170 SC 2004?

For trailering, the Starcraft Marine C-Star 170 SC 2004 has the edge at 1 140 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 C-Star 170 SC 2004 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 256 RE CR 2008 is Coast Guard rated for 18 passengers, while the Starcraft Marine C-Star 170 SC 2004 is certified for 6. 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.

Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Starcraft Marine 256 RE CR 2008 measures 102" wide, compared to 90" for the Starcraft Marine C-Star 170 SC 2004. The US standard-width towing limit is 8’6" (102") in most states - anything over that may need a wide-load permit. Confirm your specific route requirements with each state's DOT.

How do the fuel tanks compare on the Starcraft Marine 256 RE CR 2008 and Starcraft Marine C-Star 170 SC 2004?

Both boats carry similar fuel loads - 30 gallons and 32 gallons respectively. Range will depend heavily on motor choice, throttle usage, and whether you're on flat lake water or coastal chop.

Are the Starcraft Marine 256 RE CR 2008 and Starcraft Marine C-Star 170 SC 2004 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the Starcraft Marine 256 RE CR 2008 and the Starcraft Marine C-Star 170 SC 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 C-Star 170 SC 2004 full specs