Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Starcraft Marine Explorer 160 DC 2013 vs Starcraft Marine Pro Elite 1800 2004: Same Brand, Different Boat
The Starcraft Marine Explorer 160 DC 2013 vs Starcraft Marine Pro Elite 1800 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 175 hp, the Starcraft Marine Pro Elite 1800 2004 has a 100-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 Pro Elite 1800 2004 carries 54 gallons versus 24 gallons in the Starcraft Marine Explorer 160 DC 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 Pro Elite 1800 2004 is rated for 7 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 Pro Elite 1800 2004 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Starcraft Marine Pro Elite 1800 2004 if your priority is putting more people on the water - it handles 7 passengers and at 0,0 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
ModelPro Elite 1800
Model Year2013
Model Year2004
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam - Meters2.08
Beam - Meters2.51
Beam - Inches82
Beam - Inches99
Deadrise19°
Deadrise19℃
Depth - Detail21 in.
Depth - Detailnot available
Depth - Centimeters53.34
Depth - Centimetersnot available
Depth - Inches21
Depth - Inchesnot available
Weight - Detail900 lbs.
Weight - Detail1430 lbs.
Weight - kg408.23
Weight - kg648.64
Weight - lbs.900
Weight - lbs.1430
Width [transom] - Detail77 in.
Width [transom] - Detailnot available
Length - Feet16.17
Length - Feetnot available
Length overall - Detail16 ft. 2 in.
Length overall - Detail18 ft. 2 in.
Length overall - Meters4.93
Length overall - Meters5.54
Length overall - Inches194
Length overall - Inches218
Draft [drive up] - Detailnot available
Draft [drive up] - Detail16 in.
Draft [drive up] metersnot available
Draft [drive up] meters0.41
Draft [drive up] inchesnot available
Draft [drive up] inches16
Draft [max] - Detailnot available
Draft [max] - Detail28 in.
Draft [max] - Metersnot available
Draft [max] - Meters0.71
Draft [max] - Inchesnot available
Draft [max] - Inches28
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.
Body / Hull
Hull materialAluminum
Hull materialAluminum
Hull thickness0.080 in. bottom and rib 0.070 in. side
Hull thicknessnot available
Hull typeDeep Vee
Hull typenot available
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine makeMercury
Engine makenot available
Engine model50ELPT
Engine modelnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Detail24 gal.
Fuel tank capacity - Detail54 gal.
Fuel tank capacity - Liters90.85
Fuel tank capacity - Liters204.41
Fuel tank capacity - Gal24
Fuel tank capacity - Gal54
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typenot available
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typenot available
Engine max75 hp
Engine max175
Operational Info
Maximum capacity1,275 lbs.
Maximum capacity1700 lbs.
Maximum people5
Maximum people7 persons