The Starcraft Marine BOW RIDER 1996 vs Starcraft Marine SLS 3 2022 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.
Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling — 245 hp for the Starcraft Marine BOW RIDER 1996 and 250 hp for the Starcraft Marine SLS 3 2022. Real-world performance will come down more to which motor is actually bolted on, its load at the time, and whether it's a 4-stroke or 2-stroke setup.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Starcraft Marine SLS 3 2022 is rated for 7 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 SLS 3 2022 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Starcraft Marine SLS 3 2022 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 7 passengers and at 24,0 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.