Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 196 2004 vs Starcraft Marine SF Series 2012 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer - the Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 196 2004 or the Starcraft Marine SF Series 2012?

For trailering, the Starcraft Marine SF Series 2012 has the edge at 185 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 Fishmaster 196 2004 is rated to a maximum of 175 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Starcraft Marine SF Series 2012 tops out at 35 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 SF Series 2012 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.

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

The Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 196 2004 measures 100" wide, compared to 68" for the Starcraft Marine SF Series 2012. 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: Are the Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 196 2004 and Starcraft Marine SF Series 2012 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 196 2004 and the Starcraft Marine SF Series 2012 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 SF Series 2012

Starcraft Marine

Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 196 2004

2004

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Starcraft Marine

Starcraft Marine SF Series 2012

2012

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 196 2004 vs Starcraft Marine SF Series 2012: Same Brand, Different Boat

The Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 196 2004 vs Starcraft Marine SF Series 2012 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 175 hp, the Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 196 2004 has a 140-hp advantage over the Starcraft Marine SF Series 2012's 35-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 196 2004 is rated for 9 passengers, while the Starcraft Marine SF Series 2012 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 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 SF Series 2012 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

ModelFishmaster 196

ModelSF Series

Model Year2004

Model Year2012

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam100 in.

Beam68 in.

Beam - Meters2.54

Beam - Meters1.73

Beam - Inches100

Beam - Inches68

Deadrise19℃

Deadrisenot available

Draft [drive up] - Detail17 in.

Draft [drive up] - Detailnot available

Draft [drive up] meters0.43

Draft [drive up] metersnot available

Draft [drive up] inches17

Draft [drive up] inchesnot available

Draft [max] - Detail29 in.

Draft [max] - Detailnot available

Draft [max] - Meters0.74

Draft [max] - Metersnot available

Draft [max] - Inches29

Draft [max] - Inchesnot available

Weight - Detail1470 lbs.

Weight - Detail185 lbs.

Weight - kg666.78

Weight - kg83.91

Weight - lbs.1470

Weight - lbs.185

Height - Detail31 in.

Height - Detailnot available

Height - Meters0.79

Height - Metersnot available

Height - Inches31

Height - Inchesnot available

Height [transom]25 in.

Height [transom]LS / SS bracket height

Length overall - Detail19 ft. 9 in.

Length overall - Detail14 ft. 2 in.

Length overall - Meters6.02

Length overall - Meters4.32

Length overall - Inches237

Length overall - Inches170

Depth - Detailnot available

Depth - Detail30 in.

Depth - Centimetersnot available

Depth - Centimeters76.2

Depth - Inchesnot available

Depth - Inches30

Width [transom] - Detailnot available

Width [transom] - Detail60 in.

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Feet14.17

Body / Hull

Hull materialAluminum

Hull thicknessnot available

Hull thickness0.064 in. bottom gauge 0.060 in. side gauge 0.064 rib gauge

Hull typenot available

Hull typeModified Vee

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail52 gal.

Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Liters196.84

Fuel tank capacity - Litersnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Gal52

Fuel tank capacity - Galnot available

Engine max175

Engine max35 hp

Fuel typenot available

Fuel typeGas

Drive typenot available

Drive typeOutboard

Operational Info

Maximum capacity2050 lbs.

Maximum capacity1,000 lbs.

Maximum people9 persons

Maximum people3

Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 196 2004 vs Starcraft Marine SF Series 2012 - Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer - the Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 196 2004 or the Starcraft Marine SF Series 2012?

For trailering, the Starcraft Marine SF Series 2012 has the edge at 185 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 Fishmaster 196 2004 is rated to a maximum of 175 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Starcraft Marine SF Series 2012 tops out at 35 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 SF Series 2012 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 196 2004 measures 100" wide, compared to 68" for the Starcraft Marine SF Series 2012. 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 196 2004 and Starcraft Marine SF Series 2012 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 196 2004 and the Starcraft Marine SF Series 2012 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 SF Series 2012 full specs