The Starcraft Marine Elite 246 RE 2004 vs Starcraft Marine Limited 2018 I/O 2011 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 RE 2004 measures 24,0 feet overall (2004), giving it roughly 3,8 additional feet of deck space compared to the Starcraft Marine Limited 2018 I/O 2011 at 20,2 feet (2011). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Starcraft Marine Limited 2018 I/O 2011 tips the scales at 1 995 lbs — 1 790 lbs less than the Starcraft Marine Elite 246 RE 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 220 hp, the Starcraft Marine Limited 2018 I/O 2011 has a 85-hp advantage over the Starcraft Marine Elite 246 RE 2004's 135-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 3 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 2004 is rated for 15 passengers, while the Starcraft Marine Limited 2018 I/O 2011 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 RE 2004 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Starcraft Marine Elite 246 RE 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 Limited 2018 I/O 2011 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 8 that costs less to run day-to-day.