Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 176 2005 boat specs
Starcraft Marine
Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 176 2005
2005
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VS
Starcraft Marine SeaLite 12 2004 boat specs
Starcraft Marine
Starcraft Marine SeaLite 12 2004
2004
View full specs →

Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 176 2005 vs Starcraft Marine SeaLite 12 2004 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 176 2005 vs Starcraft Marine SeaLite 12 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 150 hp, the Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 176 2005 has a 149-hp advantage over the Starcraft Marine SeaLite 12 2004's 1-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 176 2005 is rated for 7 passengers, while the Starcraft Marine SeaLite 12 2004 caps at 3. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 176 2005 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 176 2005 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 SeaLite 12 2004 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 3 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
MakeStarcraft Marine
MakeStarcraft Marine
ModelFishmaster 176
ModelSeaLite 12
Model Year2005
Model Year2004
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam93 in. (236 cm)
Beam58 in
Beam - Meters2.36
Beam - Meters1.47
Beam - Inches93
Beam - Inches58
Deadrise17℃
Deadrise7℃
Depth - Detail27 in. (69 cm)
Depth - Detailnot available
Depth - Centimeters68.58
Depth - Centimetersnot available
Depth - Inches27
Depth - Inchesnot available
Draft [drive up] - Detail16 in. (41 cm)
Draft [drive up] - Detailnot available
Draft [drive up] meters0.41
Draft [drive up] metersnot available
Draft [drive up] inches16
Draft [drive up] inchesnot available
Draft [max] - Detail28 in. (71 cm)
Draft [max] - Detailnot available
Draft [max] - Meters0.71
Draft [max] - Metersnot available
Draft [max] - Inches28
Draft [max] - Inchesnot available
Weight - Detail1,195 lbs. (532.1 kg)
Weight - Detail124 lbs
Weight - kg542.04
Weight - kg56.25
Weight - lbs.1195
Weight - lbs.124
Width [transom] - Detail86 in. (218 cm) Chine Width (at transom): 73 in. (185 cm)
Width [transom] - Detailnot available
Height [transom]20 in. (51 cm)
Height [transom]15 in
Length - Meters5.4
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Feet17
Length - Feetnot available
Length - Inches8
Length - Inchesnot available
Length overall - Detail17 ft. 8 in. (5.4 m)
Length overall - Detail11 ft. 7 in
Length overall - Meters5.38
Length overall - Meters3.53
Length overall - Inches212
Length overall - Inches139
Height - Detailnot available
Height - Detail21 in
Height - Metersnot available
Height - Meters0.53
Height - Inchesnot available
Height - Inches21
Body / Hull
Hull materialAluminum
Hull materialAluminum
Hull thickness0.100 (.254 cm)
Hull thicknessnot available
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail32 gal. (121.1 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Liters121.13
Fuel tank capacity - Litersnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Gal32
Fuel tank capacity - Galnot available
Engine max150 hp (112 kw)
Engine max1
Operational Info
Maximum capacity1,700 lbs. (771.1 kg)
Maximum capacity600 lbs
Maximum people7
Maximum people3 persons
Trailer Info
Trailer - DetailTowing Wt. W/150 Merc Opt: 2,535 lbs. (1,149.9 kg)
Trailer - Detailnot available
Trailer - Length over all21 ft. 6 in. (6.6 m)
Trailer - Length over allnot available

Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 176 2005 vs Starcraft Marine SeaLite 12 2004 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 176 2005 or the Starcraft Marine SeaLite 12 2004?
For trailering, the Starcraft Marine SeaLite 12 2004 has the edge at 124 lbs dry weight versus 1 195 lbs for the Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 176 2005. 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 Fishmaster 176 2005 is rated to a maximum of 150 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Starcraft Marine SeaLite 12 2004 tops out at 1 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 2005 is Coast Guard rated for 7 passengers, while the Starcraft Marine SeaLite 12 2004 is certified for 3. 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 Fishmaster 176 2005 measures 93" wide, compared to 58" for the Starcraft Marine SeaLite 12 2004. 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.
Are the Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 176 2005 and Starcraft Marine SeaLite 12 2004 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 176 2005 and the Starcraft Marine SeaLite 12 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.