Starcraft Marine BOW RIDER 1996 boat specs
Starcraft Marine
Starcraft Marine BOW RIDER 1996
1996
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VS
Starcraft Marine Majestic 256  2012 boat specs
Starcraft Marine
Starcraft Marine Majestic 256 2012
2012
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Starcraft Marine BOW RIDER 1996 vs Starcraft Marine Majestic 256 2012 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Starcraft Marine BOW RIDER 1996 vs Starcraft Marine Majestic 256 2012 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.

The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 245 hp, the Starcraft Marine BOW RIDER 1996 has a 45-hp advantage over the Starcraft Marine Majestic 256 2012's 200-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 BOW RIDER 1996 carries 25 gallons versus 3 gallons in the Starcraft Marine Majestic 256 2012. 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 Majestic 256 2012 is rated for 14 passengers, while the Starcraft Marine BOW RIDER 1996 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 Majestic 256 2012 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Starcraft Marine Majestic 256 2012 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 14 passengers and at 26,8 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Starcraft Marine BOW RIDER 1996 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 6 that costs less to run day-to-day.
Measurements / Dimensions
Length overall - Detail20.00 ft
Length overall - Detail26 ft. 10 in
Length - Feet20
Length - Feet26.83
Length overall - Meters6.1
Length overall - Meters8.18
Length overall - Inches240
Length overall - Inches322
Beamnot available
Beam102 in
Beam - Metersnot available
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Inchesnot available
Beam - Inches102
Depth - Detailnot available
Depth - Detail27 in
Depth - Centimetersnot available
Depth - Centimeters68.58
Depth - Inchesnot available
Depth - Inches27
Weight - Detailnot available
Weight - Detail2,575 lbs
Weight - kgnot available
Weight - kg1168
Weight - lbs.not available
Weight - lbs.2575
Height [transom]not available
Height [transom]20 in
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Gal25
Fuel tank capacity - Gal3
Fuel tank capacity - Liters94.64
Fuel tank capacity - Liters113.56
Engine makeMercury
Engine makeMercury
Horsepower245 hp
Horsepowernot available
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typeGas
Drive typeinboard
Drive typeOutboard
Engine modelnot available
Engine model90 ELPT EFI
Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Detail30 gal
Engine maxnot available
Engine max200 hp
Operational Info
Boat typePower
Boat typenot available
Maximum capacitynot available
Maximum capacity2,000 lbs
Maximum peoplenot available
Maximum people14
General Boat Info
Makenot available
MakeStarcraft Marine
Modelnot available
ModelMajestic 256
Model Yearnot available
Model Year2012
Body / Hull
Hull materialnot available
Hull materialAluminum
Hull typenot available
Hull typePontoon

Starcraft Marine BOW RIDER 1996 vs Starcraft Marine Majestic 256 2012 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Starcraft Marine BOW RIDER 1996 or the Starcraft Marine Majestic 256 2012?
The Starcraft Marine Majestic 256 2012 is the longer of the two at 26,8 feet overall. The Starcraft Marine BOW RIDER 1996 comes in at 20,0 feet, making it roughly 6,8 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.
Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?
The Starcraft Marine BOW RIDER 1996 is rated to a maximum of 245 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Starcraft Marine Majestic 256 2012 tops out at 200 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 BOW RIDER 1996 is Coast Guard rated for 6 passengers, while the Starcraft Marine Majestic 256 2012 is certified for 14. 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.
Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Starcraft Marine BOW RIDER 1996 or the Starcraft Marine Majestic 256 2012?
The Starcraft Marine BOW RIDER 1996 has the bigger tank at 25 gallons, versus 3 gallons on the Starcraft Marine Majestic 256 2012. That 22-gallon difference translates to roughly 66–110 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.
Are the Starcraft Marine BOW RIDER 1996 and Starcraft Marine Majestic 256 2012 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Starcraft Marine BOW RIDER 1996 and the Starcraft Marine Majestic 256 2012 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.