Starcraft Marine FD 161 OB 2006 vs Starcraft Marine Pro Elite 2000 2004 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Starcraft Marine FD 161 OB 2006 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 1 948 lbs for the Starcraft Marine FD 161 OB 2006. 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 FD 161 OB 2006 tops out at 115 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 FD 161 OB 2006 is Coast Guard rated for 9 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: Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Starcraft Marine Pro Elite 2000 2004 measures 102" wide, compared to 9" for the Starcraft Marine FD 161 OB 2006. 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.

Q: Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Starcraft Marine FD 161 OB 2006 or the Starcraft Marine Pro Elite 2000 2004?

The Starcraft Marine Pro Elite 2000 2004 has the bigger tank at 54 gallons, versus 31 gallons on the Starcraft Marine FD 161 OB 2006. That 23-gallon difference translates to roughly 69–115 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Starcraft Marine FD 161 OB 2006 and Starcraft Marine Pro Elite 2000 2004 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Starcraft Marine FD 161 OB 2006 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 FD 161 OB 2006 vs Starcraft Marine Pro Elite 2000 2004

Starcraft Marine

Starcraft Marine FD 161 OB 2006

2006

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Starcraft Marine

Starcraft Marine Pro Elite 2000 2004

2004

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Starcraft Marine FD 161 OB 2006 vs Starcraft Marine Pro Elite 2000 2004 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Starcraft Marine FD 161 OB 2006 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 110-hp advantage over the Starcraft Marine FD 161 OB 2006's 115-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 31 gallons in the Starcraft Marine FD 161 OB 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 FD 161 OB 2006 is rated for 9 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 FD 161 OB 2006 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Starcraft Marine FD 161 OB 2006 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 9 passengers and at 15,0 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

ModelFD 161 OB

ModelPro Elite 2

Model Year2006

Model Year2004

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam90 in. (229 cm)

Beam102 in

Beam - Meters2.29

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Inches9

Beam - Inches102

Deadrise20℃

Deadrise19℃

Weight - Detail1,948 lbs. (883.6 kg)

Weight - Detail1661 lbs

Weight - kg883.6

Weight - kg753.42

Weight - lbs.1948

Weight - lbs.1661

Width [transom] - Detail87 in. (221 cm) Chine Width (at transom): 80 in. (203 cm)

Width [transom] - Detailnot available

Height - DetailFence: 27 in. (69 cm)

Height - Detail26 in

Height - Meters0.69

Height - Meters0.66

Height - Inches27

Height - Inches26

Height [transom]20 in. (51 cm)

Height [transom]25 in

Length - Meters4.7

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Feet15

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Inches4

Length - Inchesnot available

Length overall - Detail15 ft. 4 in. (4.7 m)

Length overall - Detail20 ft

Length overall - Meters4.67

Length overall - Meters6.1

Length overall - Inches184

Length overall - Inches24

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] - Inches3

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull materialAluminum

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail31 gal. (117.3 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail54 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Liters117.35

Fuel tank capacity - Liters204.41

Fuel tank capacity - Gal31

Fuel tank capacity - Gal54

Drive typeOutboard

Drive typenot available

Engine max115 hp (86 kw)

Engine max225

Operational Info

Maximum capacity2,000 lbs. (907.2 kg)

Maximum capacity2000 lbs

Maximum people9

Maximum people8 persons

Trailer Info

Trailer - Length over all25 ft. 11 in. (7.9 m)

Trailer - Length over allnot available

Trailer - WeightW/115 Merc 4s: 2,585 lbs. (1,172.6 kg)

Trailer - Weightnot available

Starcraft Marine FD 161 OB 2006 vs Starcraft Marine Pro Elite 2000 2004 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Starcraft Marine FD 161 OB 2006 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 1 948 lbs for the Starcraft Marine FD 161 OB 2006. 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 FD 161 OB 2006 tops out at 115 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 FD 161 OB 2006 is Coast Guard rated for 9 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.

Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Starcraft Marine Pro Elite 2000 2004 measures 102" wide, compared to 9" for the Starcraft Marine FD 161 OB 2006. 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 FD 161 OB 2006 or the Starcraft Marine Pro Elite 2000 2004?

The Starcraft Marine Pro Elite 2000 2004 has the bigger tank at 54 gallons, versus 31 gallons on the Starcraft Marine FD 161 OB 2006. That 23-gallon difference translates to roughly 69–115 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Starcraft Marine FD 161 OB 2006 and Starcraft Marine Pro Elite 2000 2004 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Starcraft Marine FD 161 OB 2006 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 FD 161 OB 2006 full specs ← Starcraft Marine Pro Elite 2000 2004 full specs