Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 196 2013 vs Starcraft Marine SeaFarer 14 L 2004 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer - the Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 196 2013 or the Starcraft Marine SeaFarer 14 L 2004?

For trailering, the Starcraft Marine SeaFarer 14 L 2004 has the edge at 225 lbs dry weight versus 1 430 lbs for the Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 196 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 2013 is rated to a maximum of 200 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Starcraft Marine SeaFarer 14 L 2004 tops out at 30 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 2013 is Coast Guard rated for 9 passengers, while the Starcraft Marine SeaFarer 14 L 2004 is certified for 5. 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 2013 measures 100" wide, compared to 67" for the Starcraft Marine SeaFarer 14 L 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: Are the Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 196 2013 and Starcraft Marine SeaFarer 14 L 2004 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 196 2013 and the Starcraft Marine SeaFarer 14 L 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 2013 vs Starcraft Marine SeaFarer 14 L 2004

Starcraft Marine

Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 196 2013

2013

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Starcraft Marine

Starcraft Marine SeaFarer 14 L 2004

2004

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 196 2013 vs Starcraft Marine SeaFarer 14 L 2004: Same Brand, Different Boat

The Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 196 2013 vs Starcraft Marine SeaFarer 14 L 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 200 hp, the Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 196 2013 has a 170-hp advantage over the Starcraft Marine SeaFarer 14 L 2004's 30-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 2013 is rated for 9 passengers, while the Starcraft Marine SeaFarer 14 L 2004 caps at 5. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 196 2013 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 196 2013 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 SeaFarer 14 L 2004 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 5 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeStarcraft Marine

ModelFishmaster 196

ModelSeaFarer 14 L

Model Year2013

Model Year2004

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam100 in.

Beam67 in.

Beam - Meters2.54

Beam - Meters1.7

Beam - Inches100

Beam - Inches67

Depth - Detail31 in.

Depth - Detailnot available

Depth - Centimeters78.74

Depth - Centimetersnot available

Depth - Inches31

Depth - Inchesnot available

Weight - Detail1,430 lbs.

Weight - Detail225 lbs.

Weight - kg648.64

Weight - kg102.06

Weight - lbs.1430

Weight - lbs.225

Width [transom] - Detail99 in.

Width [transom] - Detailnot available

Height [transom]25 in.

Height [transom]20 in.

Length - Feet19.75

Length - Feetnot available

Length overall - Detail19 ft. 9 in.

Length overall - Detail14 ft. 3 in.

Length overall - Meters6.02

Length overall - Meters4.34

Length overall - Inches237

Length overall - Inches171

Deadrisenot available

Deadrise8℃

Height - Detailnot available

Height - Detail29 in.

Height - Metersnot available

Height - Meters0.74

Height - Inchesnot available

Height - Inches29

Body / Hull

Hull materialAluminum

Hull thickness0.100 in. bottom 0.080 in. side

Hull thicknessnot available

Hull typeDeep Vee

Hull typenot available

Engine and Drivetrain

Engine makeYamaha

Engine makenot available

Engine modelF150XA

Engine modelnot available

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

Fuel typeGas

Fuel typenot available

Drive typeOutboard

Drive typenot available

Engine max200 hp

Engine max30

Operational Info

Maximum capacity2,050 lbs.

Maximum capacity1020 lbs.

Maximum people9

Maximum people5 persons

Trailer Info

Trailer - Length over all23 ft. 5 in.

Trailer - Length over allnot available

Trailer - Weight3,394 lbs.

Trailer - Weightnot available

Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 196 2013 vs Starcraft Marine SeaFarer 14 L 2004 - Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer - the Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 196 2013 or the Starcraft Marine SeaFarer 14 L 2004?

For trailering, the Starcraft Marine SeaFarer 14 L 2004 has the edge at 225 lbs dry weight versus 1 430 lbs for the Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 196 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 2013 is rated to a maximum of 200 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Starcraft Marine SeaFarer 14 L 2004 tops out at 30 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 2013 is Coast Guard rated for 9 passengers, while the Starcraft Marine SeaFarer 14 L 2004 is certified for 5. 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 2013 measures 100" wide, compared to 67" for the Starcraft Marine SeaFarer 14 L 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.

Are the Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 196 2013 and Starcraft Marine SeaFarer 14 L 2004 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the Starcraft Marine Fishmaster 196 2013 and the Starcraft Marine SeaFarer 14 L 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 2013 full specs ← Starcraft Marine SeaFarer 14 L 2004 full specs