Starcraft Marine Explorer 160 DC 2013 boat specs
Starcraft Marine
Starcraft Marine Explorer 160 DC 2013
2013
View full specs →
VS
Starcraft Marine Limited 236 2013 boat specs
Starcraft Marine
Starcraft Marine Limited 236 2013
2013
View full specs →

Starcraft Marine Explorer 160 DC 2013 vs Starcraft Marine Limited 236 2013 — Same Brand, Different Boat

Matching a deep vee Starcraft Marine Explorer 160 DC 2013 against a pontoon Starcraft Marine Limited 236 2013 means you're likely deciding between two genuinely different on-water experiences. Hull type shapes everything from ride quality and fuel burn to dock handling and resale trajectory.

Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Starcraft Marine Limited 236 2013 measures 24,8 feet overall (2013), giving it roughly 8,7 additional feet of deck space compared to the Starcraft Marine Explorer 160 DC 2013 at 16,2 feet (2013). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Starcraft Marine Limited 236 2013 tips the scales at 228 lbs — 219 lbs less than the Starcraft Marine Explorer 160 DC 2013 at 9 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 150 hp, the Starcraft Marine Limited 236 2013 has a 75-hp advantage over the Starcraft Marine Explorer 160 DC 2013's 75-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 Explorer 160 DC 2013 carries 24 gallons versus 3 gallons in the Starcraft Marine Limited 236 2013. 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 Limited 236 2013 is rated for 13 passengers, while the Starcraft Marine Explorer 160 DC 2013 caps at 5. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Starcraft Marine Limited 236 2013 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Starcraft Marine Limited 236 2013 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 13 passengers and at 24,8 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Starcraft Marine Explorer 160 DC 2013 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 5 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
MakeStarcraft Marine
MakeStarcraft Marine
ModelExplorer 160 DC
ModelLimited 236
Model Year2013
Model Year2013
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam82 in
Beam102 in
Beam - Meters2.08
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Inches82
Beam - Inches102
Deadrise19°
Deadrisenot available
Depth - Detail21 in
Depth - Detail27 in
Depth - Centimeters53.34
Depth - Centimeters68.58
Depth - Inches21
Depth - Inches27
Weight - Detail900 lbs
Weight - Detail2,280 lbs
Weight - kg408.23
Weight - kg1034.19
Weight - lbs.9
Weight - lbs.228
Width [transom] - Detail77 in
Width [transom] - Detailnot available
Length - Feet16.17
Length - Feet24.83
Length overall - Detail16 ft. 2 in
Length overall - Detail24 ft. 10 in
Length overall - Meters4.93
Length overall - Meters7.57
Length overall - Inches194
Length overall - Inches298
Height [transom]not available
Height [transom]20 in
Body / Hull
Hull materialAluminum
Hull materialAluminum
Hull thickness0.080 in. bottom and rib 0.070 in. side
Hull thicknessnot available
Hull typeDeep Vee
Hull typePontoon
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine makeMercury
Engine makeBRP
Engine model50ELPT
Engine modelE115DPL
Fuel tank capacity - Detail24 gal
Fuel tank capacity - Detail30 gal
Fuel tank capacity - Liters90.85
Fuel tank capacity - Liters113.56
Fuel tank capacity - Gal24
Fuel tank capacity - Gal3
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typeGas
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeOutboard
Engine max75 hp
Engine max150 hp
Operational Info
Maximum capacity1,275 lbs
Maximum capacity2,424 lbs
Maximum people5
Maximum people13
Pontoon and Inflatable Specific
Tube diameternot available
Tube diameter25 in
Tube gaugenot available
Tube gauge0.080 ga
Number of tubesnot available
Number of tubes2

Starcraft Marine Explorer 160 DC 2013 vs Starcraft Marine Limited 236 2013 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Starcraft Marine Explorer 160 DC 2013 or the Starcraft Marine Limited 236 2013?
The Starcraft Marine Limited 236 2013 is the longer of the two at 24,8 feet overall. The Starcraft Marine Explorer 160 DC 2013 comes in at 16,2 feet, making it roughly 8,7 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.
Which is easier to trailer — the Starcraft Marine Explorer 160 DC 2013 or the Starcraft Marine Limited 236 2013?
For trailering, the Starcraft Marine Explorer 160 DC 2013 has the edge at 9 lbs dry weight versus 228 lbs for the Starcraft Marine Limited 236 2013. 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 Limited 236 2013 is rated to a maximum of 150 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Starcraft Marine Explorer 160 DC 2013 tops out at 75 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 Explorer 160 DC 2013 is Coast Guard rated for 5 passengers, while the Starcraft Marine Limited 236 2013 is certified for 13. 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.
Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?
The Starcraft Marine Limited 236 2013 measures 102" wide, compared to 82" for the Starcraft Marine Explorer 160 DC 2013. The US standard-width towing limit is 8’6" (102") in most states — anything over that may need a wide-load permit. Confirm your specific route requirements with each state's DOT.
Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Starcraft Marine Explorer 160 DC 2013 or the Starcraft Marine Limited 236 2013?
The Starcraft Marine Explorer 160 DC 2013 has the bigger tank at 24 gallons, versus 3 gallons on the Starcraft Marine Limited 236 2013. That 21-gallon difference translates to roughly 63–105 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.
Are the Starcraft Marine Explorer 160 DC 2013 and Starcraft Marine Limited 236 2013 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Starcraft Marine Explorer 160 DC 2013 and the Starcraft Marine Limited 236 2013 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.