The Starcraft Marine Limited 256 Starport 2012 vs Starcraft Marine Starfish 246 2004 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.
On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Starcraft Marine Limited 256 Starport 2012 at 26,8 ft versus Starcraft Marine Starfish 246 2004 at 24,0 ft. At 265 lbs and 205 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.
The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 200 hp, the Starcraft Marine Limited 256 Starport 2012 has a 65-hp advantage over the Starcraft Marine Starfish 246 2004's 135-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 Starfish 246 2004 carries 23 gallons versus 3 gallons in the Starcraft Marine Limited 256 Starport 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 Starfish 246 2004 is rated for 15 passengers, while the Starcraft Marine Limited 256 Starport 2012 caps at 14. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Starcraft Marine Starfish 246 2004 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Starcraft Marine Starfish 246 2004 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 15 passengers and at 24,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Starcraft Marine Limited 256 Starport 2012 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 14 that costs less to run day-to-day.