Starcraft Marine C-Star 186 SC 2004 vs Starcraft Marine Starfish 176 2013 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Starcraft Marine C-Star 186 SC 2004 or the Starcraft Marine Starfish 176 2013?

For trailering, the Starcraft Marine Starfish 176 2013 has the edge at 1 176 lbs dry weight versus 1 215 lbs for the Starcraft Marine C-Star 186 SC 2004. Add a motor (typically 300–500 lbs for an outboard in this class), gear, and a partial fuel load and the difference grows. Lighter is friendlier on smaller tow vehicles and on fuel economy while hauling.

Q: Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Starcraft Marine Starfish 176 2013 is rated to a maximum of 150 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Starcraft Marine C-Star 186 SC 2004 tops out at 15 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.

Q: How many people can each boat hold?

The Starcraft Marine C-Star 186 SC 2004 is Coast Guard rated for 8 passengers, while the Starcraft Marine Starfish 176 2013 is certified for 7. 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.

Q: Do these boats require an oversize trailer permit to tow on US highways?

Both the Starcraft Marine C-Star 186 SC 2004 and Starcraft Marine Starfish 176 2013 share an 92 in beam — meaning both sit right at the 8’6" threshold that most US states use for standard-width loads. In most states you can tow at that width without a special permit, but regulations vary. Always check the rules for your state and any states you'll be passing through before your first long haul.

Q: How do the fuel tanks compare on the Starcraft Marine C-Star 186 SC 2004 and Starcraft Marine Starfish 176 2013?

Both boats carry similar fuel loads — 32 gallons and 32 gallons respectively. Range will depend heavily on motor choice, throttle usage, and whether you're on flat lake water or coastal chop.

Q: Are the Starcraft Marine C-Star 186 SC 2004 and Starcraft Marine Starfish 176 2013 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Starcraft Marine C-Star 186 SC 2004 and the Starcraft Marine Starfish 176 2013 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.

Boat Comparison

Starcraft Marine C-Star 186 SC 2004 vs Starcraft Marine Starfish 176 2013

Starcraft Marine

Starcraft Marine C-Star 186 SC 2004

2004

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Starcraft Marine

Starcraft Marine Starfish 176 2013

2013

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Starcraft Marine C-Star 186 SC 2004 vs Starcraft Marine Starfish 176 2013 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Starcraft Marine C-Star 186 SC 2004 vs Starcraft Marine Starfish 176 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.

The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 150 hp, the Starcraft Marine Starfish 176 2013 has a 135-hp advantage over the Starcraft Marine C-Star 186 SC 2004's 15-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Both carry nearly identical fuel loads — 32 gal and 32 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Starcraft Marine C-Star 186 SC 2004 is rated for 8 passengers, while the Starcraft Marine Starfish 176 2013 caps at 7. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Starcraft Marine C-Star 186 SC 2004 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Starcraft Marine C-Star 186 SC 2004 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 8 passengers and at 0,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Starcraft Marine Starfish 176 2013 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 7 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeStarcraft Marine

ModelC-Star 186 SC

ModelStarfish 176

Model Year2004

Model Year2013

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam92 in

Beam - Meters2.34

Beam - Inches92

Deadrise15℃

Deadrisenot available

Draft [drive up] - Detail13 in

Draft [drive up] - Detailnot available

Draft [drive up] meters0.33

Draft [drive up] metersnot available

Draft [drive up] inches13

Draft [drive up] inchesnot available

Draft [max] - Detail25 in

Draft [max] - Detailnot available

Draft [max] - Meters0.64

Draft [max] - Metersnot available

Draft [max] - Inches25

Draft [max] - Inchesnot available

Weight - Detail1215 lbs

Weight - Detail1,176 lbs

Weight - kg551.11

Weight - kg533.42

Weight - lbs.1215

Weight - lbs.1176

Height - Detail27 in

Height - Detailnot available

Height - Meters0.69

Height - Metersnot available

Height - Inches27

Height - Inchesnot available

Height [transom]20 in

Length overall - Detail18 ft. 5 in

Length overall - Detail17 ft. 8 in

Length overall - Meters5.61

Length overall - Meters5.38

Length overall - Inches221

Length overall - Inches212

Depth - Detailnot available

Depth - Detail27 in

Depth - Centimetersnot available

Depth - Centimeters68.58

Depth - Inchesnot available

Depth - Inches27

Width [transom] - Detailnot available

Width [transom] - Detail90 in

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Feet17.67

Body / Hull

Hull materialAluminum

Hull thicknessnot available

Hull thickness0.080 in

Hull typenot available

Hull typeDeep Vee

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail32 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Liters121.13

Fuel tank capacity - Gal32

Engine max15

Engine max150 hp

Engine makenot available

Engine makeMercury

Engine modelnot available

Engine model90ELPT

Fuel typenot available

Fuel typeGas

Drive typenot available

Drive typeOutboard

Operational Info

Maximum capacity1950 lbs

Maximum capacity1,700 lbs

Maximum people8 persons

Maximum people7

Trailer Info

Trailer - Weightnot available

Trailer - Weight2,643 lbs

Starcraft Marine C-Star 186 SC 2004 vs Starcraft Marine Starfish 176 2013 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Starcraft Marine C-Star 186 SC 2004 or the Starcraft Marine Starfish 176 2013?

For trailering, the Starcraft Marine Starfish 176 2013 has the edge at 1 176 lbs dry weight versus 1 215 lbs for the Starcraft Marine C-Star 186 SC 2004. Add a motor (typically 300–500 lbs for an outboard in this class), gear, and a partial fuel load and the difference grows. Lighter is friendlier on smaller tow vehicles and on fuel economy while hauling.

Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Starcraft Marine Starfish 176 2013 is rated to a maximum of 150 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Starcraft Marine C-Star 186 SC 2004 tops out at 15 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 C-Star 186 SC 2004 is Coast Guard rated for 8 passengers, while the Starcraft Marine Starfish 176 2013 is certified for 7. 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.

Do these boats require an oversize trailer permit to tow on US highways?

Both the Starcraft Marine C-Star 186 SC 2004 and Starcraft Marine Starfish 176 2013 share an 92 in beam — meaning both sit right at the 8’6" threshold that most US states use for standard-width loads. In most states you can tow at that width without a special permit, but regulations vary. Always check the rules for your state and any states you'll be passing through before your first long haul.

How do the fuel tanks compare on the Starcraft Marine C-Star 186 SC 2004 and Starcraft Marine Starfish 176 2013?

Both boats carry similar fuel loads — 32 gallons and 32 gallons respectively. Range will depend heavily on motor choice, throttle usage, and whether you're on flat lake water or coastal chop.

Are the Starcraft Marine C-Star 186 SC 2004 and Starcraft Marine Starfish 176 2013 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Starcraft Marine C-Star 186 SC 2004 and the Starcraft Marine Starfish 176 2013 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.

← Starcraft Marine C-Star 186 SC 2004 full specs ← Starcraft Marine Starfish 176 2013 full specs