Matching a deep vee Starcraft Marine Explorer 160 SC 2013 against a pontoon Starcraft Marine Limited 236 Starport 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 Starport 2013 measures 24,8 feet overall (2013), giving it roughly 8,7 additional feet of deck space compared to the Starcraft Marine Explorer 160 SC 2013 at 16,2 feet (2013). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Starcraft Marine Limited 236 Starport 2013 tips the scales at 228 lbs — 219 lbs less than the Starcraft Marine Explorer 160 SC 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 Starport 2013 has a 75-hp advantage over the Starcraft Marine Explorer 160 SC 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 SC 2013 carries 24 gallons versus 3 gallons in the Starcraft Marine Limited 236 Starport 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 Starport 2013 is rated for 13 passengers, while the Starcraft Marine Explorer 160 SC 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 Starport 2013 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Starcraft Marine Limited 236 Starport 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 SC 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.