Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Starcraft Marine Aurora 2015 OB 2005 vs Starcraft Marine Starfire 170 DC 2005 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The Starcraft Marine Aurora 2015 OB 2005 vs Starcraft Marine Starfire 170 DC 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 Starfire 170 DC 2005 measures 16,0 feet overall (2005), giving it roughly 14,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Starcraft Marine Aurora 2015 OB 2005 at 2,0 feet (2005). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Starcraft Marine Aurora 2015 OB 2005 tips the scales at 238 lbs — 133 lbs more than the Starcraft Marine Starfire 170 DC 2005 at 105 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 2015 OB 2005 has a 135-hp advantage over the Starcraft Marine Starfire 170 DC 2005's 90-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 2015 OB 2005 carries 51 gallons versus 23 gallons in the Starcraft Marine Starfire 170 DC 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 2015 OB 2005 is rated for 12 passengers, while the Starcraft Marine Starfire 170 DC 2005 caps at 6. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Starcraft Marine Aurora 2015 OB 2005 could be the deciding factor.
At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Starcraft Marine Aurora 2015 OB 2005 comes in at 1 lbs per hp versus 1 lbs per hp for the Starcraft Marine Starfire 170 DC 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 2015 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 Starfire 170 DC 2005 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 6 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
MakeStarcraft Marine
MakeStarcraft Marine
ModelAurora 2015 OB
ModelStarfire 170 DC
Model Year2005
Model Year2005
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam102 in. (259 cm)
Beam85 in. (216 cm)
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Meters2.16
Beam - Inches102
Beam - Inches85
Deadrise13℃
Deadrise15℃
Depth - Detail30 in. (76 cm)
Depth - Detail27 in. (69 cm)
Depth - Centimeters76.2
Depth - Centimeters68.58
Depth - Inches3
Depth - Inches27
Weight - Detail2,380 lbs. (1,079.6 kg)
Weight - Detail1,050 lbs. (476.3 kg)
Weight - kg1079.55
Weight - kg476.27
Weight - lbs.238
Weight - lbs.105
Width [transom] - Detail94 in. (239 cm) Chine Width (at transom): 86 in. (218 cm)
Width [transom] - Detail78 in. (198 cm) Chine Width (at transom): 69 in. (175 cm)
Height [transom]25 in. (64 cm)
Height [transom]20 in. (51 cm)
Length - Meters6.2
Length - Meters5.2
Length - Feet2
Length - Feet16
Length - Inches4
Length - Inches11
Length overall - Detail20 ft. 4 in. (6.2 m)
Length overall - Detail16 ft. 11 in. (5.2 m)
Length overall - Meters6.2
Length overall - Meters5.16
Length overall - Inches244
Length overall - Inches203
Draft [drive up] - Detailnot available
Draft [drive up] - Detail13 in. (33 cm)
Draft [drive up] metersnot available
Draft [drive up] meters0.33
Draft [drive up] inchesnot available
Draft [drive up] inches13
Draft [max] - Detailnot available
Draft [max] - Detail24 in. (61 cm)
Draft [max] - Metersnot available
Draft [max] - Meters0.61
Draft [max] - Inchesnot available
Draft [max] - Inches24
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialAluminum
Hull thicknessnot available
Hull thickness.080 in. (.203 cm)
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail51 gal. (193.1 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail23 gal. (87.1 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters193.06
Fuel tank capacity - Liters87.06
Fuel tank capacity - Gal51
Fuel tank capacity - Gal23
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeOutboard
Engine max225 hp (168 kw)
Engine max90 hp (68 kw)
Operational Info
Maximum capacity2,485 lbs. (1,127.2 kg)
Maximum capacity1,500 lbs. (680.4 kg)
Maximum people12
Maximum people6
Trailer Info
Trailer - DetailTowing Wt. W/225 4s Merc: 4,685 lbs. (2,125.1 kg)
Trailer - DetailTowing Wt. W/200 Merc Opt.: 2,210 lbs. (1,002.5 kg)
Trailer - Length over all25 ft. 11 in. (7.9 m)
Trailer - Length over all20 ft. 6 in. (6.3 m)