Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Starcraft Marine Aurora 2009 OB 2006 vs Starcraft Marine Star Step 221 IO 2008 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The Starcraft Marine Aurora 2009 OB 2006 vs Starcraft Marine Star Step 221 IO 2008 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 Step 221 IO 2008 measures 23,0 feet overall (2008), 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 Star Step 221 IO 2008 tips the scales at 2 945 lbs — 540 lbs less than the Starcraft Marine Aurora 2009 OB 2006 at 2 405 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 217-hp advantage over the Starcraft Marine Star Step 221 IO 2008's 8-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 51 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Starcraft Marine Star Step 221 IO 2008 is rated for 13 passengers, while the Starcraft Marine Aurora 2009 OB 2006 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 Star Step 221 IO 2008 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Starcraft Marine Star Step 221 IO 2008 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 13 passengers and at 23,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Starcraft Marine Aurora 2009 OB 2006 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
MakeStarcraft Marine
ModelAurora 2009 OB
ModelStar Step 221 IO
Model Year2006
Model Year2008
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam102 in. (259 cm)
Beam102 in. (259 cm)
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Inches102
Beam - Inches102
Deadrise13℃
Deadrise17℃ (at transom)
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 - DetailBoat Only: 2,945 lbs. (1,335.9 kg)
Weight - kg1090.89
Weight - kg1335.83
Weight - lbs.2405
Weight - lbs.2945
Width [transom] - Detail94 in. (239 cm) Chine Width (at transom): 86 in. (218 cm)
Width [transom] - Detail94 in. (239 cm) Chine Width (at transom): 90 in. (229 cm)
Height [transom]25 in. (64 cm)
Height [transom]N/A
Length - Meters6.2
Length - Meters7.2
Length - Feet2
Length - Feet23
Length - Inches4
Length - Inches9
Length overall - Detail20 ft. 4 in. (6.2 m)
Length overall - Detailnot available
Length overall - Meters6.2
Length overall - Metersnot available
Length overall - Inches244
Length overall - Inchesnot available
Length [over all with swim platform]not available
Length [over all with swim platform]23 ft. 9 in. (7.2 m)
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull typenot available
Hull typeModified Vee
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail51 gal. (193.1 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail51 gal. (193.1 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters193.06
Fuel tank capacity - Liters193.06
Fuel tank capacity - Gal51
Fuel tank capacity - Gal51
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeI/O
Engine max225 hp (168 kw)
Engine max8.1 l 496 MAG HO 425 hp (317 kW)
Fuel typenot available
Fuel typeGas
Operational Info
Maximum capacity2,485 lbs. (1,127.2 kg)
Maximum capacity1,900 lbs. (861.8 kg)
Maximum people12
Maximum people13 or 1,850 lbs. / 13 or 839.2 kg
Trailer Info
Trailer - Length over all25 ft. 11 in. (7.9 m)
Trailer - Length over all25 ft. 4 in. (7.7 m)
Trailer - WeightW/225 Merc Verado: 3,441 lbs. (1,560.8 kg)
Trailer - WeightPackage Weight w/ 8.1 MAG Merc.: 4,705 lbs. (2,134 kg)