Starcraft Marine Classic 180  2005 boat specs
Starcraft Marine
Starcraft Marine Classic 180 2005
2005
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VS
Starcraft Marine Holiday 240 Cruise  2004 boat specs
Starcraft Marine
Starcraft Marine Holiday 240 Cruise 2004
2004
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Starcraft Marine Classic 180 2005 vs Starcraft Marine Holiday 240 Cruise 2004 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Starcraft Marine Classic 180 2005 vs Starcraft Marine Holiday 240 Cruise 2004 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 Holiday 240 Cruise 2004 measures 24,0 feet overall (2004), giving it roughly 6,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Starcraft Marine Classic 180 2005 at 18,0 feet (2005). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Starcraft Marine Classic 180 2005 tips the scales at 1 535 lbs — 1 330 lbs more than the Starcraft Marine Holiday 240 Cruise 2004 at 205 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 135 hp, the Starcraft Marine Holiday 240 Cruise 2004 has a 95-hp advantage over the Starcraft Marine Classic 180 2005's 40-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 Classic 180 2005 carries 7 gallons versus 3 gallons in the Starcraft Marine Holiday 240 Cruise 2004. 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 Holiday 240 Cruise 2004 is rated for 15 passengers, while the Starcraft Marine Classic 180 2005 caps at 8. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Starcraft Marine Holiday 240 Cruise 2004 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Starcraft Marine Holiday 240 Cruise 2004 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 15 passengers and at 24,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Starcraft Marine Classic 180 2005 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 8 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
MakeStarcraft Marine
MakeStarcraft Marine
ModelClassic 18
ModelHoliday 240 Cruise
Model Year2005
Model Year2004
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam96 in. (244 cm)
Beam96 in
Beam - Meters2.44
Beam - Meters2.44
Beam - Inches96
Beam - Inches96
Weight - Detail1,535 lbs. (696.3 kg)
Weight - Detail2,050 lbs
Weight - kg696.26
Weight - kg929.86
Weight - lbs.1535
Weight - lbs.205
Length - Meters5.5
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Feet18
Length - Feet24
Length overall - Detail18 ft. 0 in. (5.5 m)
Length overall - Detail24 ft. 3 in
Length overall - Meters5.49
Length overall - Meters7.39
Length overall - Inches216
Length overall - Inches291
Length - Inchesnot available
Length - Inches3
Pontoon and Inflatable Specific
Tube diameter23 in. (58 cm)
Tube diameter25 in
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine/s standard25 ELPTO Merc (19 kw) (includes propeller)
Engine/s standard25 ELPTO Merc (includes propeller and 6.6 gal. fuel tank)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail6.6 gal. Quicksilver Portable Fuel Tank
Fuel tank capacity - Detail30 gal
Fuel tank capacity - Liters26.5
Fuel tank capacity - Liters113.56
Fuel tank capacity - Gal6.6
Fuel tank capacity - Gal3
Drive typeOutBoard
Drive typeOutBoard
Engine max40 hp (30 kw)
Engine max135 hp
Operational Info
Maximum capacity1,515 lbs. (687.2 kg)
Maximum capacity2,050 lbs
Maximum people8
Maximum people15

Starcraft Marine Classic 180 2005 vs Starcraft Marine Holiday 240 Cruise 2004 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Starcraft Marine Classic 180 2005 or the Starcraft Marine Holiday 240 Cruise 2004?
The Starcraft Marine Holiday 240 Cruise 2004 is the longer of the two at 24,0 feet overall. The Starcraft Marine Classic 180 2005 comes in at 18,0 feet, making it roughly 6,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.
Which is easier to trailer — the Starcraft Marine Classic 180 2005 or the Starcraft Marine Holiday 240 Cruise 2004?
For trailering, the Starcraft Marine Holiday 240 Cruise 2004 has the edge at 205 lbs dry weight versus 1 535 lbs for the Starcraft Marine Classic 180 2005. 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 Holiday 240 Cruise 2004 is rated to a maximum of 135 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Starcraft Marine Classic 180 2005 tops out at 40 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 Classic 180 2005 is Coast Guard rated for 8 passengers, while the Starcraft Marine Holiday 240 Cruise 2004 is certified for 15. 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 Classic 180 2005 and Starcraft Marine Holiday 240 Cruise 2004 share an 96 in. (244 cm) 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.
Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Starcraft Marine Classic 180 2005 or the Starcraft Marine Holiday 240 Cruise 2004?
The Starcraft Marine Classic 180 2005 has the bigger tank at 7 gallons, versus 3 gallons on the Starcraft Marine Holiday 240 Cruise 2004. That 3-gallon difference translates to roughly 10–18 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.
Are the Starcraft Marine Classic 180 2005 and Starcraft Marine Holiday 240 Cruise 2004 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Starcraft Marine Classic 180 2005 and the Starcraft Marine Holiday 240 Cruise 2004 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.