When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Starcraft Marine Limited 185 I/O Sport 2012 and the Starcraft Marine Starcaster 2009 are modified vee designs with fiberglass 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?

The Starcraft Marine Limited 185 I/O Sport 2012 carries a rated maximum of 220 hp. Engine data for the Starcraft Marine Starcaster 2009 wasn't available in our records — check the manufacturer's spec sheet before sizing a motor.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Starcraft Marine Limited 185 I/O Sport 2012 is rated for 8 passengers, while the Starcraft Marine Starcaster 2009 caps at 4. 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 2012 could be the deciding factor.