Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 176 SB 2006 vs Starcraft Marine STX 2050 2007 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 176 SB 2006 or the Starcraft Marine STX 2050 2007?

The Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 176 SB 2006 is the longer of the two at 17,0 feet overall. The Starcraft Marine STX 2050 2007 comes in at 2,0 feet, making it roughly 15,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 176 SB 2006 or the Starcraft Marine STX 2050 2007?

For trailering, the Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 176 SB 2006 has the edge at 1 195 lbs dry weight versus 1 734 lbs for the Starcraft Marine STX 2050 2007. 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 STX 2050 2007 is rated to a maximum of 250 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 176 SB 2006 tops out at 150 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 Fishmaster 176 SB 2006 is Coast Guard rated for 7 passengers, while the Starcraft Marine STX 2050 2007 is certified for 6. 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 has the better power-to-weight ratio?

The Starcraft Marine STX 2050 2007 has a better power-to-weight ratio at 7 lbs per hp compared to 8 lbs per hp for the Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 176 SB 2006. A lower number means quicker acceleration and faster time to plane — the number that actually matters most on short, sporty boats like these.

Q: What do the trailers weigh for the Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 176 SB 2006 and Starcraft Marine STX 2050 2007?

The trailer for the Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 176 SB 2006 is listed at Towing Wt. W/150 Merc Opt: 2,535 lbs. (1,149.9 kg) and the Starcraft Marine STX 2050 2007 trailer at With 250 Mercury Verado: 3,715 lbs. (1,685.1 kg). Always add trailer weight to the boat's dry weight when checking your tow vehicle's gross trailer weight rating.

Q: Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 176 SB 2006 measures 93" wide, compared to 1" for the Starcraft Marine STX 2050 2007. 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 Fishmaster 176 SB 2006 or the Starcraft Marine STX 2050 2007?

The Starcraft Marine STX 2050 2007 has the bigger tank at 52 gallons, versus 32 gallons on the Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 176 SB 2006. That 20-gallon difference translates to roughly 60–100 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 176 SB 2006 and Starcraft Marine STX 2050 2007 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 176 SB 2006 and the Starcraft Marine STX 2050 2007 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 Fishmaster 176 SB 2006 vs Starcraft Marine STX 2050 2007

Starcraft Marine

Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 176 SB 2006

2006

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Starcraft Marine

Starcraft Marine STX 2050 2007

2007

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 176 SB 2006 vs Starcraft Marine STX 2050 2007 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 176 SB 2006 vs Starcraft Marine STX 2050 2007 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.

Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 176 SB 2006 measures 17,0 feet overall (2006), giving it roughly 15,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Starcraft Marine STX 2050 2007 at 2,0 feet (2007). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Starcraft Marine STX 2050 2007 tips the scales at 1 734 lbs — 539 lbs less than the Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 176 SB 2006 at 1 195 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 250 hp, the Starcraft Marine STX 2050 2007 has a 100-hp advantage over the Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 176 SB 2006's 150-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 STX 2050 2007 carries 52 gallons versus 32 gallons in the Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 176 SB 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 Fishmaster 176 SB 2006 is rated for 7 passengers, while the Starcraft Marine STX 2050 2007 caps at 6. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 176 SB 2006 could be the deciding factor.

At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Starcraft Marine STX 2050 2007 comes in at 7 lbs per hp versus 8 lbs per hp for the Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 176 SB 2006. 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.

Bottom line: Choose the Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 176 SB 2006 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 7 passengers and at 17,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Starcraft Marine STX 2050 2007 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 6 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeStarcraft Marine

ModelFishmaster 176 SB

ModelSTX 205

Model Year2006

Model Year2007

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam93 in. (236 cm)

Beam100 in. (254 cm)

Beam - Meters2.36

Beam - Meters2.54

Beam - Inches93

Beam - Inches1

Deadrise17℃

DeadriseAt transom: 19℃

Depth - Detail27 in. (69 cm)

Depth - Detail24 in. (61 cm)

Depth - Centimeters68.58

Depth - Centimeters60.96

Depth - Inches27

Depth - Inches24

Draft [drive up] - Detail16 in. (41 cm)

Draft [drive up] - Detail17 in. (43 cm)

Draft [drive up] meters0.41

Draft [drive up] meters0.43

Draft [drive up] inches16

Draft [drive up] inches17

Draft [max] - Detail28 in. (71 cm)

Draft [max] - Detail29 in. (74 cm)

Draft [max] - Meters0.71

Draft [max] - Meters0.74

Draft [max] - Inches28

Draft [max] - Inches29

Weight - Detail1,195 lbs. (542.1 kg)

Weight - Detail1,734 lbs. (786.5 kg)

Weight - kg542.04

Weight - kg786.53

Weight - lbs.1195

Weight - lbs.1734

Width [transom] - Detail86 in. (218 cm) Chine Width (at transom): 73 in. (185 cm)

Width [transom] - Detail99 in. (251 cm)

Height [transom]20 in. (51 cm)

Height [transom]For engine: 25 in. (64 cm)

Length - Meters5.4

Length - Meters6.2

Length - Feet17

Length - Feet2

Length - Inches8

Length - Inches2

Length overall - Detail17 ft. 8 in. (5.4 m)

Length overall - Detail20 ft. 2 in. (6.2 m)

Length overall - Meters5.38

Length overall - Meters6.15

Length overall - Inches212

Length overall - Inches242

Body / Hull

Hull materialAluminum

Hull thickness0.100 in. (.254 cm)

Hull thickness0.100 in. (0.254 cm)

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail32 gal. (121.1 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail52 gal. (196.8 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters121.13

Fuel tank capacity - Liters196.84

Fuel tank capacity - Gal32

Fuel tank capacity - Gal52

Drive typeOutboard

Engine max150 hp (112 kw)

Engine max250 hp (186 kW)

Fuel typenot available

Fuel typeGas

Operational Info

Maximum capacity1,700 lbs. (771.1 kg)

Maximum capacity2,115 lbs. (959.4 kg)

Maximum people7

Maximum people6 persons / 900 lbs. (408.2 kg)

Trailer Info

Trailer - Length over all21 ft. 6 in. (6.6 m)

Trailer - Length over all24 ft. 6 in. (7.5 m)

Trailer - WeightTowing Wt. W/150 Merc Opt: 2,535 lbs. (1,149.9 kg)

Trailer - WeightWith 250 Mercury Verado: 3,715 lbs. (1,685.1 kg)

Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 176 SB 2006 vs Starcraft Marine STX 2050 2007 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 176 SB 2006 or the Starcraft Marine STX 2050 2007?

The Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 176 SB 2006 is the longer of the two at 17,0 feet overall. The Starcraft Marine STX 2050 2007 comes in at 2,0 feet, making it roughly 15,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which is easier to trailer — the Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 176 SB 2006 or the Starcraft Marine STX 2050 2007?

For trailering, the Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 176 SB 2006 has the edge at 1 195 lbs dry weight versus 1 734 lbs for the Starcraft Marine STX 2050 2007. 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 STX 2050 2007 is rated to a maximum of 250 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 176 SB 2006 tops out at 150 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 Fishmaster 176 SB 2006 is Coast Guard rated for 7 passengers, while the Starcraft Marine STX 2050 2007 is certified for 6. 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 has the better power-to-weight ratio?

The Starcraft Marine STX 2050 2007 has a better power-to-weight ratio at 7 lbs per hp compared to 8 lbs per hp for the Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 176 SB 2006. A lower number means quicker acceleration and faster time to plane — the number that actually matters most on short, sporty boats like these.

What do the trailers weigh for the Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 176 SB 2006 and Starcraft Marine STX 2050 2007?

The trailer for the Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 176 SB 2006 is listed at Towing Wt. W/150 Merc Opt: 2,535 lbs. (1,149.9 kg) and the Starcraft Marine STX 2050 2007 trailer at With 250 Mercury Verado: 3,715 lbs. (1,685.1 kg). Always add trailer weight to the boat's dry weight when checking your tow vehicle's gross trailer weight rating.

Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 176 SB 2006 measures 93" wide, compared to 1" for the Starcraft Marine STX 2050 2007. 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 Fishmaster 176 SB 2006 or the Starcraft Marine STX 2050 2007?

The Starcraft Marine STX 2050 2007 has the bigger tank at 52 gallons, versus 32 gallons on the Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 176 SB 2006. That 20-gallon difference translates to roughly 60–100 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 176 SB 2006 and Starcraft Marine STX 2050 2007 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 176 SB 2006 and the Starcraft Marine STX 2050 2007 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 Fishmaster 176 SB 2006 full specs ← Starcraft Marine STX 2050 2007 full specs