Both the Starcraft Marine Alaskan 13 DLX 2013 and the Starcraft Marine Bay 180 2013 are modified-V designs, the first built in aluminium and the second in fibreglass, so 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?

Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Starcraft Marine Bay 180 2013 measures 17,8 feet overall (2013), giving it roughly 4,9 additional feet of deck space compared to the Starcraft Marine Alaskan 13 DLX 2013 at 12,9 feet (2013). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Starcraft Marine Bay 180 2013 tips the scales at 1 350 lbs - 1 125 lbs less than the Starcraft Marine Alaskan 13 DLX 2013 at 225 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 115 hp, the Starcraft Marine Bay 180 2013 has a 90-hp advantage over the Starcraft Marine Alaskan 13 DLX 2013's 25-hp ceiling - enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Starcraft Marine Bay 180 2013 is rated for 5 passengers, while the Starcraft Marine Alaskan 13 DLX 2013 caps at 3. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Starcraft Marine Bay 180 2013 could be the deciding factor.

At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Starcraft Marine Alaskan 13 DLX 2013 comes in at 9 lbs per hp versus 12 lbs per hp for the Starcraft Marine Bay 180 2013. The lower the ratio the more explosive the acceleration - meaningful on a short RIB where bursts of speed, quick planing, and agility in surf or tight waterways define the experience.