Starcraft Marine Futura 180 DC S 2005 vs Starcraft Marine Nexstar 2010 2004 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Starcraft Marine Futura 180 DC S 2005 or the Starcraft Marine Nexstar 2010 2004?

For trailering, the Starcraft Marine Nexstar 2010 2004 has the edge at 21 lbs dry weight versus 133 lbs for the Starcraft Marine Futura 180 DC S 2005. 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 Futura 180 DC S 2005 is rated to a maximum of 200 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Starcraft Marine Nexstar 2010 2004 tops out at 3 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 Futura 180 DC S 2005 is Coast Guard rated for 7 passengers, while the Starcraft Marine Nexstar 2010 2004 is certified for 10. 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 Nexstar 2010 2004 measures 102" wide, compared to 1" for the Starcraft Marine Futura 180 DC S 2005. 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: Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Starcraft Marine Futura 180 DC S 2005 or the Starcraft Marine Nexstar 2010 2004?

The Starcraft Marine Futura 180 DC S 2005 has the bigger tank at 52 gallons, versus 5 gallons on the Starcraft Marine Nexstar 2010 2004. That 47-gallon difference translates to roughly 141–235 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Starcraft Marine Futura 180 DC S 2005 and Starcraft Marine Nexstar 2010 2004 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Starcraft Marine Futura 180 DC S 2005 and the Starcraft Marine Nexstar 2010 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 Futura 180 DC S 2005 vs Starcraft Marine Nexstar 2010 2004

Starcraft Marine

Starcraft Marine Futura 180 DC S 2005

2005

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Starcraft Marine

Starcraft Marine Nexstar 2010 2004

2004

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Starcraft Marine Futura 180 DC S 2005 vs Starcraft Marine Nexstar 2010 2004 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Starcraft Marine Futura 180 DC S 2005 vs Starcraft Marine Nexstar 2010 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 Futura 180 DC S 2005 has a 197-hp advantage over the Starcraft Marine Nexstar 2010 2004's 3-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 Futura 180 DC S 2005 carries 52 gallons versus 5 gallons in the Starcraft Marine Nexstar 2010 2004. 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 Nexstar 2010 2004 is rated for 10 passengers, while the Starcraft Marine Futura 180 DC S 2005 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 Nexstar 2010 2004 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Starcraft Marine Nexstar 2010 2004 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 10 passengers and at 0,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Starcraft Marine Futura 180 DC S 2005 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

ModelFutura 180 DC S

ModelNexstar 201

Model Year2005

Model Year2004

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam100 in. (254 cm)

Beam102 in

Beam - Meters2.54

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Inches1

Beam - Inches102

Deadrise19℃

Deadrise17℃

Depth - Detail24 in. (61 cm)

Depth - Detailnot available

Depth - Centimeters60.96

Depth - Centimetersnot available

Depth - Inches24

Depth - Inchesnot available

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

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. (74 cm)

Draft [max] - Detailnot available

Draft [max] - Meters0.74

Draft [max] - Metersnot available

Draft [max] - Inches29

Draft [max] - Inchesnot available

Weight - Detail1,330 lbs. (603.3 kg)

Weight - Detail2100 lbs

Weight - kg603.28

Weight - kg952.54

Weight - lbs.133

Weight - lbs.21

Width [transom] - Detail99 in. (251 cm) Chine Width (at transom): 84 in. (213 cm)

Width [transom] - Detailnot available

Height [transom]25 in. (64 cm)

Height [transom]not available

Length - Meters5.5

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Feet18

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Inches2

Length - Inchesnot available

Length overall - Detail18 ft. 2 in. (5.5 m)

Length overall - Detail19 ft. 2 in

Length overall - Meters5.54

Length overall - Meters5.84

Length overall - Inches218

Length overall - Inches23

Height - Detailnot available

Height - Detail32 in

Height - Metersnot available

Height - Meters0.81

Height - Inchesnot available

Height - Inches32

Body / Hull

Hull materialAluminum

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull thickness.100 in. (.254 cm)

Hull thicknessnot available

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail52 gal. (196.8 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail50 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Liters196.84

Fuel tank capacity - Liters189.27

Fuel tank capacity - Gal52

Fuel tank capacity - Gal5

Drive typeOutboard

Drive typenot available

Engine max200 hp (149 kw)

Engine max3

Operational Info

Maximum capacity1,700 lbs. (771.1 kg)

Maximum capacity1500 lbs

Maximum people7

Maximum people10 persons

Trailer Info

Trailer - DetailTowing Wt. W/200 Merc Opt.: 3,237 lbs. (1,468.3 kg)

Trailer - Detailnot available

Trailer - Length over all22 ft. 6 in. (6.9 m)

Trailer - Length over allnot available

Starcraft Marine Futura 180 DC S 2005 vs Starcraft Marine Nexstar 2010 2004 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Starcraft Marine Futura 180 DC S 2005 or the Starcraft Marine Nexstar 2010 2004?

For trailering, the Starcraft Marine Nexstar 2010 2004 has the edge at 21 lbs dry weight versus 133 lbs for the Starcraft Marine Futura 180 DC S 2005. 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 Futura 180 DC S 2005 is rated to a maximum of 200 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Starcraft Marine Nexstar 2010 2004 tops out at 3 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 Futura 180 DC S 2005 is Coast Guard rated for 7 passengers, while the Starcraft Marine Nexstar 2010 2004 is certified for 10. 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 Nexstar 2010 2004 measures 102" wide, compared to 1" for the Starcraft Marine Futura 180 DC S 2005. 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.

Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Starcraft Marine Futura 180 DC S 2005 or the Starcraft Marine Nexstar 2010 2004?

The Starcraft Marine Futura 180 DC S 2005 has the bigger tank at 52 gallons, versus 5 gallons on the Starcraft Marine Nexstar 2010 2004. That 47-gallon difference translates to roughly 141–235 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Starcraft Marine Futura 180 DC S 2005 and Starcraft Marine Nexstar 2010 2004 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Starcraft Marine Futura 180 DC S 2005 and the Starcraft Marine Nexstar 2010 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 Futura 180 DC S 2005 full specs ← Starcraft Marine Nexstar 2010 2004 full specs