Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Starcraft Marine Aurora 2405 B OB 2005 vs Starcraft Marine Explorer 160 DC 2013 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The Starcraft Marine Aurora 2405 B OB 2005 vs Starcraft Marine Explorer 160 DC 2013 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 Aurora 2405 B OB 2005 measures 24,0 feet overall (2005), giving it roughly 7,8 additional feet of deck space compared to the Starcraft Marine Explorer 160 DC 2013 at 16,2 feet (2013). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Starcraft Marine Aurora 2405 B OB 2005 tips the scales at 3 075 lbs — 3 066 lbs more than the Starcraft Marine Explorer 160 DC 2013 at 9 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 250 hp, the Starcraft Marine Aurora 2405 B OB 2005 has a 175-hp advantage over the Starcraft Marine Explorer 160 DC 2013's 75-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 2405 B OB 2005 carries 51 gallons versus 24 gallons in the Starcraft Marine Explorer 160 DC 2013. 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 2405 B OB 2005 is rated for 13 passengers, while the Starcraft Marine Explorer 160 DC 2013 caps at 5. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Starcraft Marine Aurora 2405 B OB 2005 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Starcraft Marine Aurora 2405 B OB 2005 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 13 passengers and at 24,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Starcraft Marine Explorer 160 DC 2013 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 5 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
MakeStarcraft Marine
MakeStarcraft Marine
ModelAurora 2405 B OB
ModelExplorer 160 DC
Model Year2005
Model Year2013
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam102 in. (259 cm)
Beam82 in
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Meters2.08
Beam - Inches102
Beam - Inches82
Deadrise17℃
Deadrise19°
Depth - Detail32 in. (81 cm)
Depth - Detail21 in
Depth - Centimeters81.28
Depth - Centimeters53.34
Depth - Inches32
Depth - Inches21
Weight - Detail3,075 lbs. (1,394.8 kg)
Weight - Detail900 lbs
Weight - kg1394.8
Weight - kg408.23
Weight - lbs.3075
Weight - lbs.9
Width [transom] - Detail94 in. (239 cm) Chine Width (at transom): 90 in. (229 cm)
Width [transom] - Detail77 in
Height [transom]25 in. (63 cm)
Height [transom]not available
Length - Meters7.3
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Feet24
Length - Feet16.17
Length - Inches1
Length - Inchesnot available
Length overall - Detail24 ft. 1 in. (7.3 m)
Length overall - Detail16 ft. 2 in
Length overall - Meters7.34
Length overall - Meters4.93
Length overall - Inches289
Length overall - Inches194
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialAluminum
Hull thicknessnot available
Hull thickness0.080 in. bottom and rib 0.070 in. side
Hull typenot available
Hull typeDeep Vee
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail51 gal. (193.1 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail24 gal
Fuel tank capacity - Liters193.06
Fuel tank capacity - Liters90.85
Fuel tank capacity - Gal51
Fuel tank capacity - Gal24
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeOutboard
Engine max250 hp (187 kw)
Engine max75 hp
Engine makenot available
Engine makeMercury
Engine modelnot available
Engine model50ELPT
Fuel typenot available
Fuel typeGas
Operational Info
Maximum capacity2,800 lbs. (1,270 kg)
Maximum capacity1,275 lbs
Maximum people13
Maximum people5
Trailer Info
Trailer - DetailTowing Wt. W/225 4s Merc: 5,625 lbs. (2,551.5 kg)
Trailer - Detailnot available
Trailer - Length over all30 ft. 7 in. (9.3 m)
Trailer - Length over allnot available