When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 196 2011 and the Starcraft Marine Sport Runabout 172 OB Ski Fish 2013 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?

On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 196 2011 at 19,8 ft versus Starcraft Marine Sport Runabout 172 OB Ski Fish 2013 at 16,8 ft. At 143 lbs and 152 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 70-hp advantage over the Starcraft Marine Sport Runabout 172 OB Ski Fish 2013's 130-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 Fishmaster 196 2011 carries 52 gallons versus 23 gallons in the Starcraft Marine Sport Runabout 172 OB Ski Fish 2013. 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 Fishmaster 196 2011 is rated for 9 passengers, while the Starcraft Marine Sport Runabout 172 OB Ski 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 2011 could be the deciding factor.