Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 196 SB 2006 vs Starcraft Marine STX 2050 2007 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 196 SB 2006 or the Starcraft Marine STX 2050 2007?

The Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 196 SB 2006 is the longer of the two at 19,0 feet overall. The Starcraft Marine STX 2050 2007 comes in at 2,0 feet, making it roughly 17,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 196 SB 2006 or the Starcraft Marine STX 2050 2007?

For trailering, the Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 196 SB 2006 has the edge at 147 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 196 SB 2006 tops out at 175 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 196 SB 2006 is Coast Guard rated for 9 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: Do these boats require an oversize trailer permit to tow on US highways?

Both the Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 196 SB 2006 and Starcraft Marine STX 2050 2007 share an 100 in. (254 cm) beam — meaning both sit right at the 8’6" threshold that most US states use for standard-width loads. In most states you can tow at that width without a special permit, but regulations vary. Always check the rules for your state and any states you'll be passing through before your first long haul.

Q: How do the fuel tanks compare on the Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 196 SB 2006 and Starcraft Marine STX 2050 2007?

Both boats carry similar fuel loads — 52 gallons and 52 gallons respectively. Range will depend heavily on motor choice, throttle usage, and whether you're on flat lake water or coastal chop.

Q: Are the Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 196 SB 2006 and Starcraft Marine STX 2050 2007 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 196 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 196 SB 2006 vs Starcraft Marine STX 2050 2007

Starcraft Marine

Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 196 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 196 SB 2006 vs Starcraft Marine STX 2050 2007 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 196 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 196 SB 2006 measures 19,0 feet overall (2006), giving it roughly 17,0 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 — 1 587 lbs less than the Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 196 SB 2006 at 147 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 75-hp advantage over the Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 196 SB 2006's 175-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Both carry nearly identical fuel loads — 52 gal and 52 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 196 SB 2006 is rated for 9 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 196 SB 2006 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 196 SB 2006 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 9 passengers and at 19,0 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 196 SB

ModelSTX 205

Model Year2006

Model Year2007

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam100 in. (254 cm)

Beam - Meters2.54

Beam - Inches1

Deadrise19℃

DeadriseAt transom: 19℃

Depth - Detail31 in. (79 cm)

Depth - Detail24 in. (61 cm)

Depth - Centimeters78.74

Depth - Centimeters60.96

Depth - Inches31

Depth - Inches24

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

Draft [drive up] meters0.43

Draft [drive up] inches17

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

Draft [max] - Meters0.74

Draft [max] - Inches29

Weight - Detail1,470 lbs. (666.8 kg)

Weight - Detail1,734 lbs. (786.5 kg)

Weight - kg666.78

Weight - kg786.53

Weight - lbs.147

Weight - lbs.1734

Width [transom] - Detail99 in. (252 cm) Chine Width (at transom): 84 in. (213 cm)

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

Height [transom]25 in. (64 cm)

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

Length - Meters6

Length - Meters6.2

Length - Feet19

Length - Feet2

Length - Inches9

Length - Inches2

Length overall - Detail19 ft. 9 in. (6 m)

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

Length overall - Meters6.02

Length overall - Meters6.15

Length overall - Inches237

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 - Detail52 gal. (196.8 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters196.84

Fuel tank capacity - Gal52

Drive typeOutboard

Engine max175 hp (131 kw)

Engine max250 hp (186 kW)

Fuel typenot available

Fuel typeGas

Operational Info

Maximum capacity2,050 lbs. (929.9 kg)

Maximum capacity2,115 lbs. (959.4 kg)

Maximum people9

Maximum people6 persons / 900 lbs. (408.2 kg)

Trailer Info

Trailer - Length over all23 ft. 5 in. (7.2 m)

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

Trailer - WeightTowing Wt. W/175 Merc Opt.: 3,270 lbs. (1,483.3 kg)

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

Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 196 SB 2006 vs Starcraft Marine STX 2050 2007 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 196 SB 2006 or the Starcraft Marine STX 2050 2007?

The Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 196 SB 2006 is the longer of the two at 19,0 feet overall. The Starcraft Marine STX 2050 2007 comes in at 2,0 feet, making it roughly 17,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which is easier to trailer — the Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 196 SB 2006 or the Starcraft Marine STX 2050 2007?

For trailering, the Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 196 SB 2006 has the edge at 147 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 196 SB 2006 tops out at 175 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 196 SB 2006 is Coast Guard rated for 9 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.

Do these boats require an oversize trailer permit to tow on US highways?

Both the Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 196 SB 2006 and Starcraft Marine STX 2050 2007 share an 100 in. (254 cm) beam — meaning both sit right at the 8’6" threshold that most US states use for standard-width loads. In most states you can tow at that width without a special permit, but regulations vary. Always check the rules for your state and any states you'll be passing through before your first long haul.

How do the fuel tanks compare on the Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 196 SB 2006 and Starcraft Marine STX 2050 2007?

Both boats carry similar fuel loads — 52 gallons and 52 gallons respectively. Range will depend heavily on motor choice, throttle usage, and whether you're on flat lake water or coastal chop.

Are the Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 196 SB 2006 and Starcraft Marine STX 2050 2007 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 196 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 196 SB 2006 full specs ← Starcraft Marine STX 2050 2007 full specs