Matching a pontoon Starcraft Marine Limited 246 2011 against a modified vee Starcraft Marine Sport Runabout 185 I/O Sport 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 246 2011 measures 24,3 feet overall (2011), giving it roughly 6,1 additional feet of deck space compared to the Starcraft Marine Sport Runabout 185 I/O Sport 2013 at 18,2 feet (2013). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Starcraft Marine Limited 246 2011 tips the scales at 2 417 lbs — 2 262 lbs more than the Starcraft Marine Sport Runabout 185 I/O Sport 2013 at 155 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 Sport Runabout 185 I/O Sport 2013 has a 70-hp advantage over the Starcraft Marine Limited 246 2011's 150-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Both carry nearly identical fuel loads — 24 gal and 23 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Starcraft Marine Limited 246 2011 is rated for 14 passengers, while the Starcraft Marine Sport Runabout 185 I/O Sport 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 246 2011 could be the deciding factor.