Matching a pontoon Starcraft Marine Limited 236 Starport 2013 against a modified vee Starcraft Marine Sport Runabout 172 OB Ski Fish 2013 means you're likely deciding between two genuinely different on-water experiences. Hull type shapes everything from ride quality and fuel burn to dock handling and resale trajectory.

Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Starcraft Marine Limited 236 Starport 2013 measures 24,8 feet overall (2013), giving it roughly 8,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Starcraft Marine Sport Runabout 172 OB Ski Fish 2013 at 16,8 feet (2013). At 228 lbs and 152 lbs respectively, both sit in a similar weight class — either should pair comfortably with most mid-size SUVs and half-ton trucks, though always confirm your specific tow rating with the motor added.

Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling — 150 hp for the Starcraft Marine Limited 236 Starport 2013 and 130 hp for the Starcraft Marine Sport Runabout 172 OB Ski Fish 2013. Real-world performance will come down more to which motor is actually bolted on, its load at the time, and whether it's a 4-stroke or 2-stroke setup. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Starcraft Marine Sport Runabout 172 OB Ski Fish 2013 carries 23 gallons versus 3 gallons in the Starcraft Marine Limited 236 Starport 2013. 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 Limited 236 Starport 2013 is rated for 13 passengers, while the Starcraft Marine Sport Runabout 172 OB Ski Fish 2013 caps at 8. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Starcraft Marine Limited 236 Starport 2013 could be the deciding factor.