Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 196 2004 vs Starcraft Marine Futura 180 SC 2004 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer - the Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 196 2004 or the Starcraft Marine Futura 180 SC 2004?

For trailering, the Starcraft Marine Futura 180 SC 2004 has the edge at 1 330 lbs dry weight versus 1 470 lbs for the Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 196 2004. 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 Futura 180 SC 2004 is rated to a maximum of 200 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 196 2004 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 2004 is Coast Guard rated for 9 passengers, while the Starcraft Marine Futura 180 SC 2004 is certified for 7. 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 2004 and Starcraft Marine Futura 180 SC 2004 share an 100 in. 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 2004 and Starcraft Marine Futura 180 SC 2004?

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 2004 and Starcraft Marine Futura 180 SC 2004 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 196 2004 and the Starcraft Marine Futura 180 SC 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 Fishmaster 196 2004 vs Starcraft Marine Futura 180 SC 2004

Starcraft Marine

Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 196 2004

2004

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Starcraft Marine

Starcraft Marine Futura 180 SC 2004

2004

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 196 2004 vs Starcraft Marine Futura 180 SC 2004: Same Brand, Different Boat

The Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 196 2004 vs Starcraft Marine Futura 180 SC 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 200 hp, the Starcraft Marine Futura 180 SC 2004 has a 25-hp advantage over the Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 196 2004'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 2004 is rated for 9 passengers, while the Starcraft Marine Futura 180 SC 2004 caps at 7. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 196 2004 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 196 2004 if your priority is putting more people on the water - it handles 9 passengers and at 0,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Starcraft Marine Futura 180 SC 2004 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 7 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeStarcraft Marine

ModelFishmaster 196

ModelFutura 180 SC

Model Year2004

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam100 in.

Beam - Meters2.54

Beam - Inches100

Deadrise19℃

Draft [drive up] - Detail17 in.

Draft [drive up] meters0.43

Draft [drive up] inches17

Draft [max] - Detail29 in.

Draft [max] - Meters0.74

Draft [max] - Inches29

Weight - Detail1470 lbs.

Weight - Detail1330 lbs.

Weight - kg666.78

Weight - kg603.28

Weight - lbs.1470

Weight - lbs.1330

Height - Detail31 in.

Height - Detail24 in.

Height - Meters0.79

Height - Meters0.61

Height - Inches31

Height - Inches24

Height [transom]25 in.

Length overall - Detail19 ft. 9 in.

Length overall - Detail18 ft. 2 in.

Length overall - Meters6.02

Length overall - Meters5.54

Length overall - Inches237

Length overall - Inches218

Body / Hull

Hull materialAluminum

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail52 gal.

Fuel tank capacity - Liters196.84

Fuel tank capacity - Gal52

Engine max175

Engine max200

Operational Info

Maximum capacity2050 lbs.

Maximum capacity1700 lbs.

Maximum people9 persons

Maximum people7 persons

Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 196 2004 vs Starcraft Marine Futura 180 SC 2004 - Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer - the Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 196 2004 or the Starcraft Marine Futura 180 SC 2004?

For trailering, the Starcraft Marine Futura 180 SC 2004 has the edge at 1 330 lbs dry weight versus 1 470 lbs for the Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 196 2004. 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 Futura 180 SC 2004 is rated to a maximum of 200 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 196 2004 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 2004 is Coast Guard rated for 9 passengers, while the Starcraft Marine Futura 180 SC 2004 is certified for 7. 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 2004 and Starcraft Marine Futura 180 SC 2004 share an 100 in. 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 2004 and Starcraft Marine Futura 180 SC 2004?

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 2004 and Starcraft Marine Futura 180 SC 2004 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 196 2004 and the Starcraft Marine Futura 180 SC 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 Fishmaster 196 2004 full specs ← Starcraft Marine Futura 180 SC 2004 full specs