Starcraft Marine Elite 246 RE CR 2005 vs Starcraft Marine Nexstar 2100 2004 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Starcraft Marine Elite 246 RE CR 2005 or the Starcraft Marine Nexstar 2100 2004?

For trailering, the Starcraft Marine Nexstar 2100 2004 has the edge at 2 215 lbs dry weight versus 2 417 lbs for the Starcraft Marine Elite 246 RE CR 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.

Q: Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Starcraft Marine Elite 246 RE CR 2005 is rated to a maximum of 135 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Starcraft Marine Nexstar 2100 2004 tops out at 3 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 Elite 246 RE CR 2005 is Coast Guard rated for 14 passengers, while the Starcraft Marine Nexstar 2100 2004 is certified for 11. 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 Elite 246 RE CR 2005 and Starcraft Marine Nexstar 2100 2004 share an 102 in. (259 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.

Q: How do the fuel tanks compare on the Starcraft Marine Elite 246 RE CR 2005 and Starcraft Marine Nexstar 2100 2004?

Both boats carry similar fuel loads — 3 gallons and 5 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 Elite 246 RE CR 2005 and Starcraft Marine Nexstar 2100 2004 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Starcraft Marine Elite 246 RE CR 2005 and the Starcraft Marine Nexstar 2100 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.

Boat Comparison

Starcraft Marine Elite 246 RE CR 2005 vs Starcraft Marine Nexstar 2100 2004

Starcraft Marine

Starcraft Marine Elite 246 RE CR 2005

2005

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Starcraft Marine

Starcraft Marine Nexstar 2100 2004

2004

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Starcraft Marine Elite 246 RE CR 2005 vs Starcraft Marine Nexstar 2100 2004 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Starcraft Marine Elite 246 RE CR 2005 vs Starcraft Marine Nexstar 2100 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.

The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 135 hp, the Starcraft Marine Elite 246 RE CR 2005 has a 132-hp advantage over the Starcraft Marine Nexstar 2100 2004's 3-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Both carry nearly identical fuel loads — 3 gal and 5 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Starcraft Marine Elite 246 RE CR 2005 is rated for 14 passengers, while the Starcraft Marine Nexstar 2100 2004 caps at 11. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Starcraft Marine Elite 246 RE CR 2005 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Starcraft Marine Elite 246 RE CR 2005 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 14 passengers and at 24,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Starcraft Marine Nexstar 2100 2004 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 11 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeStarcraft Marine

ModelElite 246 RE CR

ModelNexstar 21

Model Year2005

Model Year2004

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam102 in. (259 cm)

Beam102 in

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Inches102

Weight - Detail2,417 lbs. (1,096.4 kg)

Weight - Detail2215 lbs

Weight - kg1096.33

Weight - kg1004.71

Weight - lbs.2417

Weight - lbs.2215

Length - Meters7.4

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Feet24

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Inches3

Length - Inchesnot available

Length overall - Detail24 ft. 3 in. (7.4 m)

Length overall - Detail20 ft

Length overall - Meters7.39

Length overall - Meters6.1

Length overall - Inches291

Length overall - Inches24

Deadrisenot available

Deadrise17℃

Height - Detailnot available

Height - Detail32 in

Height - Metersnot available

Height - Meters0.81

Height - Inchesnot available

Height - Inches32

Pontoon and Inflatable Specific

Tube diameter25 in. (64 cm)

Tube diameternot available

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail30 gal. (113.6 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail50 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Liters113.56

Fuel tank capacity - Liters189.27

Fuel tank capacity - Gal3

Fuel tank capacity - Gal5

Drive typeOutBoard

Drive typenot available

Engine max135 hp (100 kw)

Engine max3

Operational Info

Maximum capacity2,590 lbs. (1,174.8 kg)

Maximum capacity1635 lbs

Maximum people14

Maximum people11 persons

Body / Hull

Hull materialnot available

Hull materialFiberglass

Starcraft Marine Elite 246 RE CR 2005 vs Starcraft Marine Nexstar 2100 2004 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Starcraft Marine Elite 246 RE CR 2005 or the Starcraft Marine Nexstar 2100 2004?

For trailering, the Starcraft Marine Nexstar 2100 2004 has the edge at 2 215 lbs dry weight versus 2 417 lbs for the Starcraft Marine Elite 246 RE CR 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 Elite 246 RE CR 2005 is rated to a maximum of 135 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Starcraft Marine Nexstar 2100 2004 tops out at 3 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 Elite 246 RE CR 2005 is Coast Guard rated for 14 passengers, while the Starcraft Marine Nexstar 2100 2004 is certified for 11. 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 Elite 246 RE CR 2005 and Starcraft Marine Nexstar 2100 2004 share an 102 in. (259 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.

How do the fuel tanks compare on the Starcraft Marine Elite 246 RE CR 2005 and Starcraft Marine Nexstar 2100 2004?

Both boats carry similar fuel loads — 3 gallons and 5 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 Elite 246 RE CR 2005 and Starcraft Marine Nexstar 2100 2004 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Starcraft Marine Elite 246 RE CR 2005 and the Starcraft Marine Nexstar 2100 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.

← Starcraft Marine Elite 246 RE CR 2005 full specs ← Starcraft Marine Nexstar 2100 2004 full specs