Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Starcraft Marine Aurora 2009 OB 2006 vs Starcraft Marine Star Fish 176 DC 2006 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The Starcraft Marine Aurora 2009 OB 2006 vs Starcraft Marine Star Fish 176 DC 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 Star Fish 176 DC 2006 measures 17,0 feet overall (2006), giving it roughly 15,0 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 — 1 210 lbs more than the Starcraft Marine Star Fish 176 DC 2006 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 2006 has a 75-hp advantage over the Starcraft Marine Star Fish 176 DC 2006'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 2006 carries 51 gallons versus 32 gallons in the Starcraft Marine Star Fish 176 DC 2006. 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 2006 is rated for 12 passengers, while the Starcraft Marine Star Fish 176 DC 2006 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 2006 could be the deciding factor.
At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Starcraft Marine Star Fish 176 DC 2006 comes in at 8 lbs per hp versus 11 lbs per hp for the Starcraft Marine Aurora 2009 OB 2006. 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 2006 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 Star Fish 176 DC 2006 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
MakeStarcraft Marine
ModelAurora 2009 OB
ModelStar Fish 176 DC
Model Year2006
Model Year2006
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam102 in. (259 cm)
Beam92 in. (234 cm)
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Meters2.34
Beam - Inches102
Beam - Inches92
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. (542.1 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] - Detail90 in. (228 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 in. (.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 typeOutboard
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 - Length over all25 ft. 11 in. (7.9 m)
Trailer - Length over all21 ft. 6 in. (6.6 m)
Trailer - WeightW/225 Merc Verado: 3,441 lbs. (1,560.8 kg)
Trailer - WeightTowing Wt. W/150 Merc Opt.: 2,535 lbs. (1,149.9 kg)