The Starcraft Marine Elite 246 RE CR 2006 vs Starcraft Marine Starfish 246 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.
On paper these two are close siblings in the size department - Starcraft Marine Elite 246 RE CR 2006 at 24,0 ft versus Starcraft Marine Starfish 246 2004 at 24,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Starcraft Marine Elite 246 RE CR 2006 tips the scales at 2 417 lbs - 367 lbs more than the Starcraft Marine Starfish 246 2004 at 2 050 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 RE CR 2006 and 135 hp for the Starcraft Marine Starfish 246 2004. 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 RE CR 2006 carries 30 gallons versus 23 gallons in the Starcraft Marine Starfish 246 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 Starfish 246 2004 is rated for 15 passengers, while the Starcraft Marine Elite 246 RE CR 2006 caps at 14. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Starcraft Marine Starfish 246 2004 could be the deciding factor.
At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Starcraft Marine Starfish 246 2004 comes in at 15 lbs per hp versus 18 lbs per hp for the Starcraft Marine Elite 246 RE CR 2006. The lower the ratio the more explosive the acceleration - meaningful on a short RIB where bursts of speed, quick planing, and agility in surf or tight waterways define the experience.
The Starcraft Marine Elite 246 RE CR 2006 is an inflatable design - lighter, easier to store, and quicker to launch from a beach or dock without a slipway. The Starcraft Marine Starfish 246 2004 is a rigid hull, which typically offers a more confident ride in chop and easier maintenance over the long term.
Bottom line: Choose the Starcraft Marine Starfish 246 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 Elite 246 RE CR 2006 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 14 that costs less to run day-to-day.