Starcraft Marine Aurora 2009 OB 2005 vs Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 196 2004 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer - the Starcraft Marine Aurora 2009 OB 2005 or the Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 196 2004?

For trailering, the Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 196 2004 has the edge at 1 470 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 196 2004 tops out at 175 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 196 2004 is certified for 9. 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 Aurora 2009 OB 2005 measures 102" wide, compared to 100" for the Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 196 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 Aurora 2009 OB 2005 and Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 196 2004?

Both boats carry similar fuel loads - 51 gallons and 52 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 Aurora 2009 OB 2005 and Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 196 2004 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the Starcraft Marine Aurora 2009 OB 2005 and the Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 196 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 Aurora 2009 OB 2005 vs Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 196 2004

Starcraft Marine

Starcraft Marine Aurora 2009 OB 2005

2005

View full specs →

Starcraft Marine

Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 196 2004

2004

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Starcraft Marine Aurora 2009 OB 2005 vs Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 196 2004: Same Brand, Different Boat

The Starcraft Marine Aurora 2009 OB 2005 vs Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 196 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 225 hp, the Starcraft Marine Aurora 2009 OB 2005 has a 50-hp advantage over the Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 196 2004's 175-hp ceiling - enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Both carry nearly identical fuel loads - 51 gal and 52 gal - so range won't be a tiebreaker here.

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 196 2004 caps at 9. 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.

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 20,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 196 2004 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 9 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeStarcraft Marine

ModelAurora 2009 OB

ModelFishmaster 196

Model Year2005

Model Year2004

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam102 in. (259 cm)

Beam100 in.

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Meters2.54

Beam - Inches102

Beam - Inches100

Deadrise13℃

Deadrise19℃

Depth - Detail30 in. (76 cm)

Depth - Detailnot available

Depth - Centimeters76.2

Depth - Centimetersnot available

Depth - Inches30

Depth - Inchesnot available

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

Weight - Detail1470 lbs.

Weight - kg1090.89

Weight - kg666.78

Weight - lbs.2405

Weight - lbs.1470

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

Width [transom] - Detailnot available

Height [transom]25 in. (64 cm)

Height [transom]25 in.

Length - Meters6.2

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Feet20

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Inches4

Length - Inchesnot available

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

Length overall - Detail19 ft. 9 in.

Length overall - Meters6.2

Length overall - Meters6.02

Length overall - Inches244

Length overall - Inches237

Draft [drive up] - Detailnot available

Draft [drive up] - Detail17 in.

Draft [drive up] metersnot available

Draft [drive up] meters0.43

Draft [drive up] inchesnot available

Draft [drive up] inches17

Draft [max] - Detailnot available

Draft [max] - Detail29 in.

Draft [max] - Metersnot available

Draft [max] - Meters0.74

Draft [max] - Inchesnot available

Draft [max] - Inches29

Height - Detailnot available

Height - Detail31 in.

Height - Metersnot available

Height - Meters0.79

Height - Inchesnot available

Height - Inches31

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull materialAluminum

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail51 gal. (193.1 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail52 gal.

Fuel tank capacity - Liters193.06

Fuel tank capacity - Liters196.84

Fuel tank capacity - Gal51

Fuel tank capacity - Gal52

Drive typeOutboard

Drive typenot available

Engine max225 hp (168 kw)

Engine max175

Operational Info

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

Maximum capacity2050 lbs.

Maximum people12

Maximum people9 persons

Trailer Info

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

Trailer - Detailnot available

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

Trailer - Length over allnot available

Starcraft Marine Aurora 2009 OB 2005 vs Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 196 2004 - Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer - the Starcraft Marine Aurora 2009 OB 2005 or the Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 196 2004?

For trailering, the Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 196 2004 has the edge at 1 470 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 196 2004 tops out at 175 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 196 2004 is certified for 9. 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 Aurora 2009 OB 2005 measures 102" wide, compared to 100" for the Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 196 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 Aurora 2009 OB 2005 and Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 196 2004?

Both boats carry similar fuel loads - 51 gallons and 52 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 Aurora 2009 OB 2005 and Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 196 2004 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the Starcraft Marine Aurora 2009 OB 2005 and the Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 196 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 Aurora 2009 OB 2005 full specs ← Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 196 2004 full specs