When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Starcraft Marine Coastal 229 OB 2013 and the Starcraft Marine SF DLX 16 2013 are modified vee designs with fiberglass construction — the buying decision usually comes down to a handful of practical questions: how many people are you putting on the water, how far do you trailer, and what does your tow vehicle weigh?
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Starcraft Marine Coastal 229 OB 2013 measures 21,5 feet overall (2013), giving it roughly 5,1 additional feet of deck space compared to the Starcraft Marine SF DLX 16 2013 at 16,4 feet (2013). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Starcraft Marine Coastal 229 OB 2013 tips the scales at 284 lbs — 242 lbs more than the Starcraft Marine SF DLX 16 2013 at 42 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 Coastal 229 OB 2013 has a 210-hp advantage over the Starcraft Marine SF DLX 16 2013's 40-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Starcraft Marine Coastal 229 OB 2013 is rated for 12 passengers, while the Starcraft Marine SF DLX 16 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 Coastal 229 OB 2013 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Starcraft Marine Coastal 229 OB 2013 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 12 passengers and at 21,5 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Starcraft Marine SF DLX 16 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.