Starcraft Marine Aurora 2000 I/O 2004 vs Starcraft Marine Limited 256 Starport 2013 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer - the Starcraft Marine Aurora 2000 I/O 2004 or the Starcraft Marine Limited 256 Starport 2013?

For trailering, the Starcraft Marine Aurora 2000 I/O 2004 has the edge at 2 325 lbs dry weight versus 2 650 lbs for the Starcraft Marine Limited 256 Starport 2013. 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 2000 I/O 2004 is rated to a maximum of 260 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Starcraft Marine Limited 256 Starport 2013 tops out at 200 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 Aurora 2000 I/O 2004 is Coast Guard rated for 12 passengers, while the Starcraft Marine Limited 256 Starport 2013 is certified for 14. 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 Aurora 2000 I/O 2004 and Starcraft Marine Limited 256 Starport 2013 share an 102 in. 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 Aurora 2000 I/O 2004 or the Starcraft Marine Limited 256 Starport 2013?

The Starcraft Marine Aurora 2000 I/O 2004 has the bigger tank at 51 gallons, versus 30 gallons on the Starcraft Marine Limited 256 Starport 2013. 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 Aurora 2000 I/O 2004 and Starcraft Marine Limited 256 Starport 2013 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the Starcraft Marine Aurora 2000 I/O 2004 and the Starcraft Marine Limited 256 Starport 2013 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 Aurora 2000 I/O 2004 vs Starcraft Marine Limited 256 Starport 2013

Starcraft Marine

Starcraft Marine Aurora 2000 I/O 2004

2004

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Starcraft Marine

Starcraft Marine Limited 256 Starport 2013

2013

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Starcraft Marine Aurora 2000 I/O 2004 vs Starcraft Marine Limited 256 Starport 2013: Same Brand, Different Boat

The Starcraft Marine Aurora 2000 I/O 2004 vs Starcraft Marine Limited 256 Starport 2013 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 2000 I/O 2004 has a 60-hp advantage over the Starcraft Marine Limited 256 Starport 2013's 200-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 I/O 2004 carries 51 gallons versus 30 gallons in the Starcraft Marine Limited 256 Starport 2013. 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 Limited 256 Starport 2013 is rated for 14 passengers, while the Starcraft Marine Aurora 2000 I/O 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 Limited 256 Starport 2013 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Starcraft Marine Limited 256 Starport 2013 if your priority is putting more people on the water - it handles 14 passengers and at 26,8 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Starcraft Marine Aurora 2000 I/O 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

ModelAurora 2000 I/O

ModelLimited 256 Starport

Model Year2004

Model Year2013

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam102 in.

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Inches102

Deadrise13°

Deadrisenot available

Weight - Detail2325 lbs.

Weight - Detail2,650 lbs.

Weight - kg1054.6

Weight - kg1202.02

Weight - lbs.2325

Weight - lbs.2650

Height - Detail30 in.

Height - Detailnot available

Height - Meters0.76

Height - Metersnot available

Height - Inches30

Height - Inchesnot available

Length overall - Detail20 ft. 4 in.

Length overall - Detail26 ft. 10 in.

Length overall - Meters6.2

Length overall - Meters8.18

Length overall - Inches244

Length overall - Inches322

Depth - Detailnot available

Depth - Detail27 in.

Depth - Centimetersnot available

Depth - Centimeters68.58

Depth - Inchesnot available

Depth - Inches27

Height [transom]not available

Height [transom]20 in.

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Feet26.83

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull materialAluminum

Hull typenot available

Hull typePontoon

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail51 Gallons

Fuel tank capacity - Detail30 gal.

Fuel tank capacity - Liters193.06

Fuel tank capacity - Liters113.56

Fuel tank capacity - Gal51

Fuel tank capacity - Gal30

Engine max260

Engine max200 hp

Engine makenot available

Engine makeMercury

Engine modelnot available

Engine model115ELPT

Fuel typenot available

Fuel typeGas

Drive typenot available

Drive typeOutboard

Operational Info

Maximum capacity1890 lbs.

Maximum capacity2,650 lbs.

Maximum people12 persons

Maximum people14

Pontoon and Inflatable Specific

Tube diameternot available

Tube diameter25 in.

Tube gaugenot available

Tube gauge0.080 ga.

Number of tubesnot available

Number of tubes2

Starcraft Marine Aurora 2000 I/O 2004 vs Starcraft Marine Limited 256 Starport 2013 - Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer - the Starcraft Marine Aurora 2000 I/O 2004 or the Starcraft Marine Limited 256 Starport 2013?

For trailering, the Starcraft Marine Aurora 2000 I/O 2004 has the edge at 2 325 lbs dry weight versus 2 650 lbs for the Starcraft Marine Limited 256 Starport 2013. 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 2000 I/O 2004 is rated to a maximum of 260 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Starcraft Marine Limited 256 Starport 2013 tops out at 200 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 Aurora 2000 I/O 2004 is Coast Guard rated for 12 passengers, while the Starcraft Marine Limited 256 Starport 2013 is certified for 14. 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 Aurora 2000 I/O 2004 and Starcraft Marine Limited 256 Starport 2013 share an 102 in. 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 Aurora 2000 I/O 2004 or the Starcraft Marine Limited 256 Starport 2013?

The Starcraft Marine Aurora 2000 I/O 2004 has the bigger tank at 51 gallons, versus 30 gallons on the Starcraft Marine Limited 256 Starport 2013. 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 Aurora 2000 I/O 2004 and Starcraft Marine Limited 256 Starport 2013 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the Starcraft Marine Aurora 2000 I/O 2004 and the Starcraft Marine Limited 256 Starport 2013 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 Aurora 2000 I/O 2004 full specs ← Starcraft Marine Limited 256 Starport 2013 full specs