Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Starcraft Marine Futura 180 SC 2004 vs Starcraft Marine Stardeck 226 Cruise 2012 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The Starcraft Marine Futura 180 SC 2004 vs Starcraft Marine Stardeck 226 Cruise 2012 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 150 hp, the Starcraft Marine Stardeck 226 Cruise 2012 has a 148-hp advantage over the Starcraft Marine Futura 180 SC 2004's 2-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 SC 2004 carries 52 gallons versus 3 gallons in the Starcraft Marine Stardeck 226 Cruise 2012. 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 Stardeck 226 Cruise 2012 is rated for 12 passengers, while the Starcraft Marine Futura 180 SC 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 Stardeck 226 Cruise 2012 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Starcraft Marine Stardeck 226 Cruise 2012 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 12 passengers and at 23,8 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Starcraft Marine Futura 180 SC 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
MakeStarcraft Marine
ModelFutura 180 SC
ModelStardeck 226 Cruise
Model Year2004
Model Year2012
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam - Meters2.54
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Inches1
Beam - Inches102
Deadrise19℃
Deadrisenot available
Draft [drive up] - Detail17 in
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
Draft [max] - Detailnot available
Draft [max] - Meters0.74
Draft [max] - Metersnot available
Draft [max] - Inches29
Draft [max] - Inchesnot available
Weight - Detail1330 lbs
Weight - Detail2,200 lbs
Weight - kg603.28
Weight - kg997.9
Weight - lbs.133
Weight - lbs.22
Height - Detail24 in
Height - Detailnot available
Height - Meters0.61
Height - Metersnot available
Height - Inches24
Height - Inchesnot available
Height [transom]25 in
Height [transom]20 in
Length overall - Detail18 ft. 2 in
Length overall - Detail23 ft. 10 in
Length overall - Meters5.54
Length overall - Meters7.26
Length overall - Inches218
Length overall - Inches286
Depth - Detailnot available
Depth - Detail27 in
Depth - Centimetersnot available
Depth - Centimeters68.58
Depth - Inchesnot available
Depth - Inches27
Length - Feetnot available
Length - Feet23.83
Body / Hull
Hull materialAluminum
Hull materialAluminum
Hull typenot available
Hull typePontoon
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail52 gal
Fuel tank capacity - Detail30 gal
Fuel tank capacity - Liters196.84
Fuel tank capacity - Liters113.56
Fuel tank capacity - Gal52
Fuel tank capacity - Gal3
Engine max2
Engine max150 hp
Engine makenot available
Engine makeMercury
Engine modelnot available
Engine model60 ELPT EFI
Fuel typenot available
Fuel typeGas
Drive typenot available
Drive typeOutboard
Operational Info
Maximum capacity1700 lbs
Maximum capacity1,650 lbs
Maximum people7 persons
Maximum people12