Starcraft Marine Aurora 2009 OB 2006 boat specs
Starcraft Marine
Starcraft Marine Aurora 2009 OB 2006
2006
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VS
Starcraft Marine Nexstar 2312 I/O 2006 boat specs
Starcraft Marine
Starcraft Marine Nexstar 2312 I/O 2006
2006
View full specs →

Starcraft Marine Aurora 2009 OB 2006 vs Starcraft Marine Nexstar 2312 I/O 2006 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Starcraft Marine Aurora 2009 OB 2006 vs Starcraft Marine Nexstar 2312 I/O 2006 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 Nexstar 2312 I/O 2006 measures 23,0 feet overall (2006), giving it roughly 21,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Starcraft Marine Aurora 2009 OB 2006 at 2,0 feet (2006). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Starcraft Marine Aurora 2009 OB 2006 tips the scales at 2 405 lbs — 2 013 lbs more than the Starcraft Marine Nexstar 2312 I/O 2006 at 392 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 2006 has a 219-hp advantage over the Starcraft Marine Nexstar 2312 I/O 2006's 6-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 Nexstar 2312 I/O 2006 carries 75 gallons versus 51 gallons in the Starcraft Marine Aurora 2009 OB 2006. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.

Both boats are rated for 12 passengers — a good fit for a family of four or five plus guests. Comfort at capacity is another matter; the longer hull typically means more seat options and better weight distribution.

Bottom line: The Starcraft Marine Nexstar 2312 I/O 2006 at 23,0 ft is the right call if deck space, comfort, and entertaining are top of your list. The Starcraft Marine Aurora 2009 OB 2006 at 2,0 ft wins on trailering ease, likely lower purchase price, and simpler docking — a solid choice for a buyer who wants more boat for less money.
General Boat Info
MakeStarcraft Marine
MakeStarcraft Marine
ModelAurora 2009 OB
ModelNexstar 2312 I/O
Model Year2006
Model Year2006
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam102 in. (259 cm)
Beam102 in. (259 cm)
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Inches102
Beam - Inches102
Deadrise13℃
Deadrise21℃
Depth - Detail30 in. (76 cm)
Depth - Detail32 in. (81 cm)
Depth - Centimeters76.2
Depth - Centimeters81.28
Depth - Inches3
Depth - Inches32
Weight - Detail2,405 lbs. (1,090.9 kg)
Weight - Detail3,920 lbs. (1,778.1 kg)
Weight - kg1090.89
Weight - kg1778.08
Weight - lbs.2405
Weight - lbs.392
Width [transom] - Detail94 in. (239 cm) Chine Width (at transom): 86 in. (218 cm)
Width [transom] - Detail94 in. (239 cm) Chine Width (at transom): 85 in. (216 cm)
Height [transom]25 in. (64 cm)
Height [transom]not available
Length - Meters6.2
Length - Meters7.1
Length - Feet2
Length - Feet23
Length - Inches4
Length - Inches4
Length overall - Detail20 ft. 4 in. (6.2 m)
Length overall - Detail23 ft. 4 in. (7.1 m)
Length overall - Meters6.2
Length overall - Meters7.11
Length overall - Inches244
Length overall - Inches28
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialFiberglass
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail51 gal. (193.1 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail75 gal. (283.9 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters193.06
Fuel tank capacity - Liters283.91
Fuel tank capacity - Gal51
Fuel tank capacity - Gal75
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeI/O
Engine max225 hp (168 kw)
Engine max6.2 l MPI 320 hp (278 kw)
Operational Info
Maximum capacity2,485 lbs. (1,127.2 kg)
Maximum capacity2,300 lbs. (1,043.3 kg)
Maximum people12
Maximum people12
Trailer Info
Trailer - Length over all25 ft. 11 in. (7.9 m)
Trailer - Length over all27 ft. 5 in. (8.4 m)
Trailer - WeightW/225 Merc Verado: 3,441 lbs. (1,560.8 kg)
Trailer - WeightW/6.2 MPI Merc: 5,764 lbs. (2,614.6 kg)

Starcraft Marine Aurora 2009 OB 2006 vs Starcraft Marine Nexstar 2312 I/O 2006 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Starcraft Marine Aurora 2009 OB 2006 or the Starcraft Marine Nexstar 2312 I/O 2006?
The Starcraft Marine Nexstar 2312 I/O 2006 is the longer of the two at 23,0 feet overall. The Starcraft Marine Aurora 2009 OB 2006 comes in at 2,0 feet, making it roughly 21,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.
Which is easier to trailer — the Starcraft Marine Aurora 2009 OB 2006 or the Starcraft Marine Nexstar 2312 I/O 2006?
For trailering, the Starcraft Marine Nexstar 2312 I/O 2006 has the edge at 392 lbs dry weight versus 2 405 lbs for the Starcraft Marine Aurora 2009 OB 2006. 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 2006 is rated to a maximum of 225 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Starcraft Marine Nexstar 2312 I/O 2006 tops out at 6 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 2006 is Coast Guard rated for 12 passengers, while the Starcraft Marine Nexstar 2312 I/O 2006 is certified for 12. 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 2009 OB 2006 and Starcraft Marine Nexstar 2312 I/O 2006 share an 102 in. (259 cm) 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 2009 OB 2006 or the Starcraft Marine Nexstar 2312 I/O 2006?
The Starcraft Marine Nexstar 2312 I/O 2006 has the bigger tank at 75 gallons, versus 51 gallons on the Starcraft Marine Aurora 2009 OB 2006. That 24-gallon difference translates to roughly 72–120 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.
Are the Starcraft Marine Aurora 2009 OB 2006 and Starcraft Marine Nexstar 2312 I/O 2006 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Starcraft Marine Aurora 2009 OB 2006 and the Starcraft Marine Nexstar 2312 I/O 2006 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.