Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 196 2007 vs Starcraft Marine Futura 180 DC 2004 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 196 2007 or the Starcraft Marine Futura 180 DC 2004?

For trailering, the Starcraft Marine Futura 180 DC 2004 has the edge at 133 lbs dry weight versus 1 498 lbs for the Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 196 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 Fishmaster 196 2007 is rated to a maximum of 175 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Starcraft Marine Futura 180 DC 2004 tops out at 2 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 2007 is Coast Guard rated for 9 passengers, while the Starcraft Marine Futura 180 DC 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 2007 and Starcraft Marine Futura 180 DC 2004 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 2007 and Starcraft Marine Futura 180 DC 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 2007 and Starcraft Marine Futura 180 DC 2004 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 196 2007 and the Starcraft Marine Futura 180 DC 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 2007 vs Starcraft Marine Futura 180 DC 2004

Starcraft Marine

Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 196 2007

2007

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Starcraft Marine

Starcraft Marine Futura 180 DC 2004

2004

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 196 2007 vs Starcraft Marine Futura 180 DC 2004 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 196 2007 vs Starcraft Marine Futura 180 DC 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 175 hp, the Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 196 2007 has a 173-hp advantage over the Starcraft Marine Futura 180 DC 2004's 2-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 2007 is rated for 9 passengers, while the Starcraft Marine Futura 180 DC 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 2007 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 196 2007 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 Futura 180 DC 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 DC

Model Year2007

Model Year2004

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam100 in. (254 cm)

Beam100 in

Beam - Meters2.54

Beam - Inches1

Deadrise19℃

Depth - Detail31 in. (79 cm)

Depth - Detailnot available

Depth - Centimeters78.74

Depth - Centimetersnot available

Depth - Inches31

Depth - Inchesnot available

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

Draft [drive up] - Detail17 in

Draft [drive up] meters0.43

Draft [drive up] inches17

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

Draft [max] - Detail29 in

Draft [max] - Meters0.74

Draft [max] - Inches29

Weight - Detail1,498 lbs. (679.5 kg)

Weight - Detail1330 lbs

Weight - kg679.48

Weight - kg603.28

Weight - lbs.1498

Weight - lbs.133

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

Width [transom] - Detailnot available

Height [transom]25 in. (64 cm)

Height [transom]25 in

Length - Meters6

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Feet19

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Inches9

Length - Inchesnot available

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

Length overall - Detail18 ft. 2 in

Length overall - Meters6.02

Length overall - Meters5.54

Length overall - Inches237

Length overall - Inches218

Height - Detailnot available

Height - Detail24 in

Height - Metersnot available

Height - Meters0.61

Height - Inchesnot available

Height - Inches24

Body / Hull

Hull materialAluminum

Hull thickness0.100 in. (0.254 cm)

Hull thicknessnot available

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail52 gal. (196.8 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail52 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Liters196.84

Fuel tank capacity - Gal52

Fuel typeGas

Fuel typenot available

Drive typeOutboard

Drive typenot available

Engine max175 hp (131 kW)

Engine max2

Operational Info

Maximum capacity2,050 lbs. (929.9 kg)

Maximum capacity1700 lbs

Maximum people9 or 1,250 lbs. (567 kg)

Maximum people7 persons

Trailer Info

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

Trailer - Length over allnot available

Trailer - WeightTowing weight with 175 Ver.: 3,394 lbs. (1,539.5 kg)

Trailer - Weightnot available

Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 196 2007 vs Starcraft Marine Futura 180 DC 2004 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 196 2007 or the Starcraft Marine Futura 180 DC 2004?

For trailering, the Starcraft Marine Futura 180 DC 2004 has the edge at 133 lbs dry weight versus 1 498 lbs for the Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 196 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 Fishmaster 196 2007 is rated to a maximum of 175 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Starcraft Marine Futura 180 DC 2004 tops out at 2 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 2007 is Coast Guard rated for 9 passengers, while the Starcraft Marine Futura 180 DC 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 2007 and Starcraft Marine Futura 180 DC 2004 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 2007 and Starcraft Marine Futura 180 DC 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 2007 and Starcraft Marine Futura 180 DC 2004 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 196 2007 and the Starcraft Marine Futura 180 DC 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 2007 full specs ← Starcraft Marine Futura 180 DC 2004 full specs