When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 196 2011 and the Starcraft Marine SL 12 2009 are modified vee designs with aluminum construction — the buying decision usually comes down to a handful of practical questions: how many people are you putting on the water, how far do you trailer, and what does your tow vehicle weigh?
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 196 2011 measures 19,8 feet overall (2011), giving it roughly 8,8 additional feet of deck space compared to the Starcraft Marine SL 12 2009 at 11,0 feet (2009). At 143 lbs and 124 lbs respectively, both sit in a similar weight class — either should pair comfortably with most mid-size SUVs and half-ton trucks, though always confirm your specific tow rating with the motor added.
The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 200 hp, the Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 196 2011 has a 190-hp advantage over the Starcraft Marine SL 12 2009's 10-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 2011 is rated for 9 passengers, while the Starcraft Marine SL 12 2009 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 2011 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 196 2011 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 9 passengers and at 19,8 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Starcraft Marine SL 12 2009 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 3 that costs less to run day-to-day.