Both the Starcraft Marine Limited 185 I/O Sport 2011 and the Starcraft Marine SF 1420 DLX SIDE 2010 are modified-V designs, the first built in fibreglass and the second in aluminium, so 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 Limited 185 I/O Sport 2011 measures 18,2 feet overall (2011), giving it roughly 3,9 additional feet of deck space compared to the Starcraft Marine SF 1420 DLX SIDE 2010 at 14,3 feet (2010). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Starcraft Marine Limited 185 I/O Sport 2011 tips the scales at 1 550 lbs - 1 120 lbs more than the Starcraft Marine SF 1420 DLX SIDE 2010 at 430 lbs. That difference is meaningful if you're working within a half-ton or three-quarter-ton truck's tow rating, especially once you factor in a motor, gear, and fuel.

The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 220 hp, the Starcraft Marine Limited 185 I/O Sport 2011 has a 195-hp advantage over the Starcraft Marine SF 1420 DLX SIDE 2010's 25-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 Limited 185 I/O Sport 2011 is rated for 8 passengers, while the Starcraft Marine SF 1420 DLX SIDE 2010 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 Limited 185 I/O Sport 2011 could be the deciding factor.