Starcraft Marine Aurora 2000 O/B 2004 vs Starcraft Marine Elite 246 RE 2005 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Starcraft Marine Aurora 2000 O/B 2004 or the Starcraft Marine Elite 246 RE 2005?

For trailering, the Starcraft Marine Aurora 2000 O/B 2004 has the edge at 2 315 lbs dry weight versus 2 417 lbs for the Starcraft Marine Elite 246 RE 2005. 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 Elite 246 RE 2005 is rated to a maximum of 135 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 Aurora 2000 O/B 2004 is Coast Guard rated for 12 passengers, while the Starcraft Marine Elite 246 RE 2005 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 O/B 2004 and Starcraft Marine Elite 246 RE 2005 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 O/B 2004 or the Starcraft Marine Elite 246 RE 2005?

The Starcraft Marine Aurora 2000 O/B 2004 has the bigger tank at 51 gallons, versus 3 gallons on the Starcraft Marine Elite 246 RE 2005. 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 Aurora 2000 O/B 2004 and Starcraft Marine Elite 246 RE 2005 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Starcraft Marine Aurora 2000 O/B 2004 and the Starcraft Marine Elite 246 RE 2005 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 O/B 2004 vs Starcraft Marine Elite 246 RE 2005

Starcraft Marine

Starcraft Marine Aurora 2000 O/B 2004

2004

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Starcraft Marine

Starcraft Marine Elite 246 RE 2005

2005

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Starcraft Marine Aurora 2000 O/B 2004 vs Starcraft Marine Elite 246 RE 2005 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Starcraft Marine Aurora 2000 O/B 2004 vs Starcraft Marine Elite 246 RE 2005 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 135 hp, the Starcraft Marine Elite 246 RE 2005 has a 133-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 Elite 246 RE 2005. 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 Elite 246 RE 2005 is rated for 14 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 Elite 246 RE 2005 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Starcraft Marine Elite 246 RE 2005 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 14 passengers and at 24,0 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

ModelAurora 2000 O/B

ModelElite 246 RE

Model Year2004

Model Year2005

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam102 in

Beam102 in. (259 cm)

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Inches102

Deadrise13℃

Deadrisenot available

Weight - Detail2315 lbs

Weight - Detail2,417 lbs. (1,096.4 kg)

Weight - kg1050.07

Weight - kg1096.33

Weight - lbs.2315

Weight - lbs.2417

Height - Detail30 in

Height - Detailnot available

Height - Meters0.76

Height - Metersnot available

Height - Inches3

Height - Inchesnot available

Height [transom]20 in

Height [transom]not available

Length overall - Detail20 ft. 4 in

Length overall - Detail24 ft. 3 in. (7.3 m)

Length overall - Meters6.2

Length overall - Meters7.39

Length overall - Inches244

Length overall - Inches291

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Meters7.3

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Feet24

Length - Inchesnot available

Length - Inches3

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull materialnot available

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail51 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Detail30 gal. (113.6 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters193.06

Fuel tank capacity - Liters113.56

Fuel tank capacity - Gal51

Fuel tank capacity - Gal3

Engine max2

Engine max135 hp (100 kw)

Drive typenot available

Drive typeOutBoard

Operational Info

Maximum capacity2200 lbs

Maximum capacity2,590 lbs. (1,174.8 kg)

Maximum people12 persons

Maximum people14

Pontoon and Inflatable Specific

Tube diameternot available

Tube diameter25 in. (64 cm)

Starcraft Marine Aurora 2000 O/B 2004 vs Starcraft Marine Elite 246 RE 2005 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Starcraft Marine Aurora 2000 O/B 2004 or the Starcraft Marine Elite 246 RE 2005?

For trailering, the Starcraft Marine Aurora 2000 O/B 2004 has the edge at 2 315 lbs dry weight versus 2 417 lbs for the Starcraft Marine Elite 246 RE 2005. 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 Elite 246 RE 2005 is rated to a maximum of 135 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 Aurora 2000 O/B 2004 is Coast Guard rated for 12 passengers, while the Starcraft Marine Elite 246 RE 2005 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 O/B 2004 and Starcraft Marine Elite 246 RE 2005 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 O/B 2004 or the Starcraft Marine Elite 246 RE 2005?

The Starcraft Marine Aurora 2000 O/B 2004 has the bigger tank at 51 gallons, versus 3 gallons on the Starcraft Marine Elite 246 RE 2005. 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 Aurora 2000 O/B 2004 and Starcraft Marine Elite 246 RE 2005 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Starcraft Marine Aurora 2000 O/B 2004 and the Starcraft Marine Elite 246 RE 2005 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 O/B 2004 full specs ← Starcraft Marine Elite 246 RE 2005 full specs