The Starcraft Marine Elite 246 2006 vs Starcraft Marine Nexstar 2312 I/O 2005 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 2006 at 24,0 ft versus Starcraft Marine Nexstar 2312 I/O 2005 at 23,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Starcraft Marine Elite 246 2006 tips the scales at 2 417 lbs — 2 025 lbs more than the Starcraft Marine Nexstar 2312 I/O 2005 at 392 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 135 hp, the Starcraft Marine Elite 246 2006 has a 129-hp advantage over the Starcraft Marine Nexstar 2312 I/O 2005's 6-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 Nexstar 2312 I/O 2005 carries 75 gallons versus 3 gallons in the Starcraft Marine Elite 246 2006. 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 2006 is rated for 14 passengers, while the Starcraft Marine Nexstar 2312 I/O 2005 caps at 1. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Starcraft Marine Elite 246 2006 could be the deciding factor.
At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Starcraft Marine Elite 246 2006 comes in at 18 lbs per hp versus 63 lbs per hp for the Starcraft Marine Nexstar 2312 I/O 2005. 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 2006 is an inflatable design — lighter, easier to store, and quicker to launch from a beach or dock without a slipway. The Starcraft Marine Nexstar 2312 I/O 2005 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 Elite 246 2006 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 2312 I/O 2005 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 1 that costs less to run day-to-day.