Starcraft Marine Elite 246 RE 2004 vs Starcraft Marine Pro Elite 2000 2004 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer - the Starcraft Marine Elite 246 RE 2004 or the Starcraft Marine Pro Elite 2000 2004?

For trailering, the Starcraft Marine Pro Elite 2000 2004 has the edge at 1 661 lbs dry weight versus 2 050 lbs for the Starcraft Marine Elite 246 RE 2004. 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 Pro Elite 2000 2004 is rated to a maximum of 225 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Starcraft Marine Elite 246 RE 2004 tops out at 135 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 2004 is Coast Guard rated for 15 passengers, while the Starcraft Marine Pro Elite 2000 2004 is certified for 8. 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 2004 and Starcraft Marine Pro Elite 2000 2004 share an 102 in. 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: Which boat has the larger fuel tank - the Starcraft Marine Elite 246 RE 2004 or the Starcraft Marine Pro Elite 2000 2004?

The Starcraft Marine Pro Elite 2000 2004 has the bigger tank at 54 gallons, versus 30 gallons on the Starcraft Marine Elite 246 RE 2004. That 24-gallon difference translates to roughly 72–120 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Starcraft Marine Elite 246 RE 2004 and Starcraft Marine Pro Elite 2000 2004 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the Starcraft Marine Elite 246 RE 2004 and the Starcraft Marine Pro Elite 2000 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 2004 vs Starcraft Marine Pro Elite 2000 2004

Starcraft Marine

Starcraft Marine Elite 246 RE 2004

2004

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Starcraft Marine

Starcraft Marine Pro Elite 2000 2004

2004

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Starcraft Marine Elite 246 RE 2004 vs Starcraft Marine Pro Elite 2000 2004: Same Brand, Different Boat

The Starcraft Marine Elite 246 RE 2004 vs Starcraft Marine Pro Elite 2000 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 225 hp, the Starcraft Marine Pro Elite 2000 2004 has a 90-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. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Starcraft Marine Pro Elite 2000 2004 carries 54 gallons versus 30 gallons in the Starcraft Marine Elite 246 RE 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 Elite 246 RE 2004 is rated for 15 passengers, while the Starcraft Marine Pro Elite 2000 2004 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 Pro Elite 2000 2004 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 8 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeStarcraft Marine

ModelElite 246 RE

ModelPro Elite 2000

Model Year2004

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam102 in.

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Inches102

Weight - Detail2,050 lbs.

Weight - Detail1661 lbs.

Weight - kg929.86

Weight - kg753.42

Weight - lbs.2050

Weight - lbs.1661

Length - Feet24

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Inches3

Length - Inchesnot available

Length overall - Detail24 ft. 3 in.

Length overall - Detail20 ft.

Length overall - Meters7.39

Length overall - Meters6.1

Length overall - Inches291

Length overall - Inches240

Deadrisenot available

Deadrise19℃

Draft [drive up] - Detailnot available

Draft [drive up] - Detail18 in.

Draft [drive up] metersnot available

Draft [drive up] meters0.46

Draft [drive up] inchesnot available

Draft [drive up] inches18

Draft [max] - Detailnot available

Draft [max] - Detail30 in.

Draft [max] - Metersnot available

Draft [max] - Meters0.76

Draft [max] - Inchesnot available

Draft [max] - Inches30

Height - Detailnot available

Height - Detail26 in.

Height - Metersnot available

Height - Meters0.66

Height - Inchesnot available

Height - Inches26

Height [transom]not available

Height [transom]25 in.

Pontoon and Inflatable Specific

Tube diameter25 in.

Tube diameternot available

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail30 gal.

Fuel tank capacity - Detail54 gal.

Fuel tank capacity - Liters113.56

Fuel tank capacity - Liters204.41

Fuel tank capacity - Gal30

Fuel tank capacity - Gal54

Drive typeOutBoard

Drive typenot available

Engine max135 hp

Engine max225

Operational Info

Maximum capacity2,050 lbs.

Maximum capacity2000 lbs.

Maximum people15

Maximum people8 persons

Body / Hull

Hull materialnot available

Hull materialAluminum

Starcraft Marine Elite 246 RE 2004 vs Starcraft Marine Pro Elite 2000 2004 - Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer - the Starcraft Marine Elite 246 RE 2004 or the Starcraft Marine Pro Elite 2000 2004?

For trailering, the Starcraft Marine Pro Elite 2000 2004 has the edge at 1 661 lbs dry weight versus 2 050 lbs for the Starcraft Marine Elite 246 RE 2004. 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 Pro Elite 2000 2004 is rated to a maximum of 225 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Starcraft Marine Elite 246 RE 2004 tops out at 135 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 2004 is Coast Guard rated for 15 passengers, while the Starcraft Marine Pro Elite 2000 2004 is certified for 8. 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 2004 and Starcraft Marine Pro Elite 2000 2004 share an 102 in. 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.

Which boat has the larger fuel tank - the Starcraft Marine Elite 246 RE 2004 or the Starcraft Marine Pro Elite 2000 2004?

The Starcraft Marine Pro Elite 2000 2004 has the bigger tank at 54 gallons, versus 30 gallons on the Starcraft Marine Elite 246 RE 2004. That 24-gallon difference translates to roughly 72–120 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Starcraft Marine Elite 246 RE 2004 and Starcraft Marine Pro Elite 2000 2004 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the Starcraft Marine Elite 246 RE 2004 and the Starcraft Marine Pro Elite 2000 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 2004 full specs ← Starcraft Marine Pro Elite 2000 2004 full specs