Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 196 2004 vs Starcraft Marine Stardeck 190 Fish 2013 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer - the Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 196 2004 or the Starcraft Marine Stardeck 190 Fish 2013?

For trailering, the Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 196 2004 has the edge at 1 470 lbs dry weight versus 1 550 lbs for the Starcraft Marine Stardeck 190 Fish 2013. 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 Stardeck 190 Fish 2013 tops out at 50 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 Stardeck 190 Fish 2013 is certified for 8. 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 96" for the Starcraft Marine Stardeck 190 Fish 2013. 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 Stardeck 190 Fish 2013 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 196 2004 and the Starcraft Marine Stardeck 190 Fish 2013 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 Stardeck 190 Fish 2013

Starcraft Marine

Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 196 2004

2004

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Starcraft Marine

Starcraft Marine Stardeck 190 Fish 2013

2013

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 196 2004 vs Starcraft Marine Stardeck 190 Fish 2013: Same Brand, Different Boat

The Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 196 2004 vs Starcraft Marine Stardeck 190 Fish 2013 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 125-hp advantage over the Starcraft Marine Stardeck 190 Fish 2013's 50-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 Stardeck 190 Fish 2013 caps at 8. 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 Stardeck 190 Fish 2013 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 8 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeStarcraft Marine

ModelFishmaster 196

ModelStardeck 190 Fish

Model Year2004

Model Year2013

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam100 in.

Beam96 in.

Beam - Meters2.54

Beam - Meters2.44

Beam - Inches100

Beam - Inches96

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 - Detail1,550 lbs.

Weight - kg666.78

Weight - kg703.07

Weight - lbs.1470

Weight - lbs.1550

Height - Detail31 in.

Height - Detailnot available

Height - Meters0.79

Height - Metersnot available

Height - Inches31

Height - Inchesnot available

Height [transom]25 in.

Height [transom]20 in.

Length overall - Detail19 ft. 9 in.

Length overall - Detail18 ft. 10 in.

Length overall - Meters6.02

Length overall - Meters5.74

Length overall - Inches237

Length overall - Inches226

Depth - Detailnot available

Depth - Detail27 in.

Depth - Centimetersnot available

Depth - Centimeters68.58

Depth - Inchesnot available

Depth - Inches27

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Feet18.83

Body / Hull

Hull materialAluminum

Hull typenot available

Hull typePontoon

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 max50 hp

Engine makenot available

Engine makeMercury

Engine modelnot available

Engine model40ELPT

Fuel typenot available

Fuel typeGas

Drive typenot available

Drive typeOutboard

Operational Info

Maximum capacity2050 lbs.

Maximum capacity1,505 lbs.

Maximum people9 persons

Maximum people8

Pontoon and Inflatable Specific

Tube diameternot available

Tube diameter25 in.

Tube gaugenot available

Tube gauge0.080 ga.

Number of tubesnot available

Number of tubes2

Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 196 2004 vs Starcraft Marine Stardeck 190 Fish 2013 - Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer - the Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 196 2004 or the Starcraft Marine Stardeck 190 Fish 2013?

For trailering, the Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 196 2004 has the edge at 1 470 lbs dry weight versus 1 550 lbs for the Starcraft Marine Stardeck 190 Fish 2013. 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 Stardeck 190 Fish 2013 tops out at 50 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 Stardeck 190 Fish 2013 is certified for 8. 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 96" for the Starcraft Marine Stardeck 190 Fish 2013. 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 Stardeck 190 Fish 2013 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 196 2004 and the Starcraft Marine Stardeck 190 Fish 2013 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 Stardeck 190 Fish 2013 full specs