The Starcraft Marine Elite 246 CR 2005 vs Starcraft Marine Sport Runabout 172 OB Sport 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.

Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Starcraft Marine Elite 246 CR 2005 measures 24,0 feet overall (2005), giving it roughly 7,2 additional feet of deck space compared to the Starcraft Marine Sport Runabout 172 OB Sport 2013 at 16,8 feet (2013). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Starcraft Marine Elite 246 CR 2005 tips the scales at 2 417 lbs - 897 lbs more than the Starcraft Marine Sport Runabout 172 OB Sport 2013 at 1 520 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.

Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling - 135 hp for the Starcraft Marine Elite 246 CR 2005 and 130 hp for the Starcraft Marine Sport Runabout 172 OB Sport 2013. 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. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Starcraft Marine Elite 246 CR 2005 carries 30 gallons versus 23 gallons in the Starcraft Marine Sport Runabout 172 OB Sport 2013. 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 Elite 246 CR 2005 is rated for 14 passengers, while the Starcraft Marine Sport Runabout 172 OB Sport 2013 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 Elite 246 CR 2005 could be the deciding factor.