Starcraft Marine Aurora 2009 OB 2005 vs Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 176 2005 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Starcraft Marine Aurora 2009 OB 2005 or the Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 176 2005?

The Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 176 2005 is the longer of the two at 17,0 feet overall. The Starcraft Marine Aurora 2009 OB 2005 comes in at 2,0 feet, making it roughly 15,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Starcraft Marine Aurora 2009 OB 2005 or the Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 176 2005?

For trailering, the Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 176 2005 has the edge at 1 195 lbs dry weight versus 2 405 lbs for the Starcraft Marine Aurora 2009 OB 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 Aurora 2009 OB 2005 is rated to a maximum of 225 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 176 2005 tops out at 150 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 2009 OB 2005 is Coast Guard rated for 12 passengers, while the Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 176 2005 is certified for 7. 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 has the better power-to-weight ratio?

The Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 176 2005 has a better power-to-weight ratio at 8 lbs per hp compared to 11 lbs per hp for the Starcraft Marine Aurora 2009 OB 2005. A lower number means quicker acceleration and faster time to plane — the number that actually matters most on short, sporty boats like these.

Q: Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Starcraft Marine Aurora 2009 OB 2005 measures 102" wide, compared to 93" for the Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 176 2005. 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: Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Starcraft Marine Aurora 2009 OB 2005 or the Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 176 2005?

The Starcraft Marine Aurora 2009 OB 2005 has the bigger tank at 51 gallons, versus 32 gallons on the Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 176 2005. That 19-gallon difference translates to roughly 57–95 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Starcraft Marine Aurora 2009 OB 2005 and Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 176 2005 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Starcraft Marine Aurora 2009 OB 2005 and the Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 176 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 2009 OB 2005 vs Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 176 2005

Starcraft Marine

Starcraft Marine Aurora 2009 OB 2005

2005

View full specs →

Starcraft Marine

Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 176 2005

2005

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Starcraft Marine Aurora 2009 OB 2005 vs Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 176 2005 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Starcraft Marine Aurora 2009 OB 2005 vs Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 176 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.

Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 176 2005 measures 17,0 feet overall (2005), giving it roughly 15,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Starcraft Marine Aurora 2009 OB 2005 at 2,0 feet (2005). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Starcraft Marine Aurora 2009 OB 2005 tips the scales at 2 405 lbs — 1 210 lbs more than the Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 176 2005 at 1 195 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 225 hp, the Starcraft Marine Aurora 2009 OB 2005 has a 75-hp advantage over the Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 176 2005's 150-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 2009 OB 2005 carries 51 gallons versus 32 gallons in the Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 176 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 Aurora 2009 OB 2005 is rated for 12 passengers, while the Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 176 2005 caps at 7. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Starcraft Marine Aurora 2009 OB 2005 could be the deciding factor.

At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 176 2005 comes in at 8 lbs per hp versus 11 lbs per hp for the Starcraft Marine Aurora 2009 OB 2005. 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.

Bottom line: Choose the Starcraft Marine Aurora 2009 OB 2005 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 12 passengers and at 2,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 176 2005 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 7 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeStarcraft Marine

ModelAurora 2009 OB

ModelFishmaster 176

Model Year2005

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam102 in. (259 cm)

Beam93 in. (236 cm)

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Meters2.36

Beam - Inches102

Beam - Inches93

Deadrise13℃

Deadrise17℃

Depth - Detail30 in. (76 cm)

Depth - Detail27 in. (69 cm)

Depth - Centimeters76.2

Depth - Centimeters68.58

Depth - Inches3

Depth - Inches27

Weight - Detail2,405 lbs. (1,090.9 kg)

Weight - Detail1,195 lbs. (532.1 kg)

Weight - kg1090.89

Weight - kg542.04

Weight - lbs.2405

Weight - lbs.1195

Width [transom] - Detail94 in. (239 cm) Chine Width (at transom): 86 in. (218 cm)

Width [transom] - Detail86 in. (218 cm) Chine Width (at transom): 73 in. (185 cm)

Height [transom]25 in. (64 cm)

Height [transom]20 in. (51 cm)

Length - Meters6.2

Length - Meters5.4

Length - Feet2

Length - Feet17

Length - Inches4

Length - Inches8

Length overall - Detail20 ft. 4 in. (6.2 m)

Length overall - Detail17 ft. 8 in. (5.4 m)

Length overall - Meters6.2

Length overall - Meters5.38

Length overall - Inches244

Length overall - Inches212

Draft [drive up] - Detailnot available

Draft [drive up] - Detail16 in. (41 cm)

Draft [drive up] metersnot available

Draft [drive up] meters0.41

Draft [drive up] inchesnot available

Draft [drive up] inches16

Draft [max] - Detailnot available

Draft [max] - Detail28 in. (71 cm)

Draft [max] - Metersnot available

Draft [max] - Meters0.71

Draft [max] - Inchesnot available

Draft [max] - Inches28

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull materialAluminum

Hull thicknessnot available

Hull thickness0.100 (.254 cm)

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail51 gal. (193.1 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail32 gal. (121.1 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters193.06

Fuel tank capacity - Liters121.13

Fuel tank capacity - Gal51

Fuel tank capacity - Gal32

Drive typeOutboard

Drive typenot available

Engine max225 hp (168 kw)

Engine max150 hp (112 kw)

Operational Info

Maximum capacity2,485 lbs. (1,127.2 kg)

Maximum capacity1,700 lbs. (771.1 kg)

Maximum people12

Maximum people7

Trailer Info

Trailer - DetailTowing Wt. W/200 Merc Opt.: 4,650 lbs. (2,109.2 kg)

Trailer - DetailTowing Wt. W/150 Merc Opt: 2,535 lbs. (1,149.9 kg)

Trailer - Length over all25 ft. 11 in. (7.9 m)

Trailer - Length over all21 ft. 6 in. (6.6 m)

Starcraft Marine Aurora 2009 OB 2005 vs Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 176 2005 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Starcraft Marine Aurora 2009 OB 2005 or the Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 176 2005?

The Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 176 2005 is the longer of the two at 17,0 feet overall. The Starcraft Marine Aurora 2009 OB 2005 comes in at 2,0 feet, making it roughly 15,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which is easier to trailer — the Starcraft Marine Aurora 2009 OB 2005 or the Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 176 2005?

For trailering, the Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 176 2005 has the edge at 1 195 lbs dry weight versus 2 405 lbs for the Starcraft Marine Aurora 2009 OB 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 Aurora 2009 OB 2005 is rated to a maximum of 225 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 176 2005 tops out at 150 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 2009 OB 2005 is Coast Guard rated for 12 passengers, while the Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 176 2005 is certified for 7. 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 has the better power-to-weight ratio?

The Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 176 2005 has a better power-to-weight ratio at 8 lbs per hp compared to 11 lbs per hp for the Starcraft Marine Aurora 2009 OB 2005. A lower number means quicker acceleration and faster time to plane — the number that actually matters most on short, sporty boats like these.

Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Starcraft Marine Aurora 2009 OB 2005 measures 102" wide, compared to 93" for the Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 176 2005. 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.

Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Starcraft Marine Aurora 2009 OB 2005 or the Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 176 2005?

The Starcraft Marine Aurora 2009 OB 2005 has the bigger tank at 51 gallons, versus 32 gallons on the Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 176 2005. That 19-gallon difference translates to roughly 57–95 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Starcraft Marine Aurora 2009 OB 2005 and Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 176 2005 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Starcraft Marine Aurora 2009 OB 2005 and the Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 176 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 2009 OB 2005 full specs ← Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 176 2005 full specs