Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 196 2004 vs Starcraft Marine SS 229 Center Console OB 2008 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 196 2004 or the Starcraft Marine SS 229 Center Console OB 2008?

For trailering, the Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 196 2004 has the edge at 147 lbs dry weight versus 284 lbs for the Starcraft Marine SS 229 Center Console OB 2008. 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 SS 229 Center Console OB 2008 is rated to a maximum of 250 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 SS 229 Center Console OB 2008 is certified for 12. 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 SS 229 Center Console OB 2008 measures 102" wide, compared to 1" for the Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 196 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.

Q: Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 196 2004 or the Starcraft Marine SS 229 Center Console OB 2008?

The Starcraft Marine SS 229 Center Console OB 2008 has the bigger tank at 75 gallons, versus 52 gallons on the Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 196 2004. That 23-gallon difference translates to roughly 69–115 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 196 2004 and Starcraft Marine SS 229 Center Console OB 2008 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 196 2004 and the Starcraft Marine SS 229 Center Console OB 2008 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 SS 229 Center Console OB 2008

Starcraft Marine

Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 196 2004

2004

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Starcraft Marine

Starcraft Marine SS 229 Center Console OB 2008

2008

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 196 2004 vs Starcraft Marine SS 229 Center Console OB 2008 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 196 2004 vs Starcraft Marine SS 229 Center Console OB 2008 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 250 hp, the Starcraft Marine SS 229 Center Console OB 2008 has a 75-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. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Starcraft Marine SS 229 Center Console OB 2008 carries 75 gallons versus 52 gallons in the Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 196 2004. 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 SS 229 Center Console OB 2008 is rated for 12 passengers, while the Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 196 2004 caps at 9. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Starcraft Marine SS 229 Center Console OB 2008 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Starcraft Marine SS 229 Center Console OB 2008 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 12 passengers and at 21,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 196 2004 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 9 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeStarcraft Marine

ModelFishmaster 196

ModelSS 229 Center Console OB

Model Year2004

Model Year2008

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam100 in

Beam102 in. (259 cm)

Beam - Meters2.54

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Inches1

Beam - Inches102

Deadrise19℃

Deadrise17℃ (at transom)

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 - DetailBoat Only: 2,840 lbs. (1,288.2 kg)

Weight - kg666.78

Weight - kg1288.2

Weight - lbs.147

Weight - lbs.284

Height - Detail31 in

Height - Detailnot available

Height - Meters0.79

Height - Metersnot available

Height - Inches31

Height - Inchesnot available

Height [transom]25 in

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

Length overall - Detail19 ft. 9 in

Length overall - Detailnot available

Length overall - Meters6.02

Length overall - Metersnot available

Length overall - Inches237

Length overall - Inchesnot available

Depth - Detailnot available

Depth - Detail32 in. (81 cm)

Depth - Centimetersnot available

Depth - Centimeters81.28

Depth - Inchesnot available

Depth - Inches32

Width [transom] - Detailnot available

Width [transom] - Detail94 in. (239 cm) Chine Width (at transom): 90 in. (229 cm)

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Meters6.6

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Feet21

Length - Inchesnot available

Length - Inches6

Length [over all with swim platform]not available

Length [over all with swim platform]21 ft. 6 in. (6.6 m)

Body / Hull

Hull materialAluminum

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typenot available

Hull typeModified Vee

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail52 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Detail75 gal. (184 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters196.84

Fuel tank capacity - Liters283.91

Fuel tank capacity - Gal52

Fuel tank capacity - Gal75

Engine max175

Engine max250 hp (187 kW)

Fuel typenot available

Fuel typeGas

Drive typenot available

Drive typeOutboard

Operational Info

Maximum capacity2050 lbs

Maximum capacity2,500 lbs. (1,134 kg)

Maximum people9 persons

Maximum people12 or 1,725 lbs. / 12 or 782 kg

Trailer Info

Trailer - Length over allnot available

Trailer - Length over all26 ft. 2 in. (7.8 m)

Trailer - Weightnot available

Trailer - WeightPackage Weight w/ 8.1 MAG Merc.: 4,166 lbs. (1,867 kg)

Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 196 2004 vs Starcraft Marine SS 229 Center Console OB 2008 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 196 2004 or the Starcraft Marine SS 229 Center Console OB 2008?

For trailering, the Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 196 2004 has the edge at 147 lbs dry weight versus 284 lbs for the Starcraft Marine SS 229 Center Console OB 2008. 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 SS 229 Center Console OB 2008 is rated to a maximum of 250 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 SS 229 Center Console OB 2008 is certified for 12. 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 SS 229 Center Console OB 2008 measures 102" wide, compared to 1" for the Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 196 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.

Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 196 2004 or the Starcraft Marine SS 229 Center Console OB 2008?

The Starcraft Marine SS 229 Center Console OB 2008 has the bigger tank at 75 gallons, versus 52 gallons on the Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 196 2004. That 23-gallon difference translates to roughly 69–115 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 196 2004 and Starcraft Marine SS 229 Center Console OB 2008 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 196 2004 and the Starcraft Marine SS 229 Center Console OB 2008 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 SS 229 Center Console OB 2008 full specs