Starcraft Marine SeaFarer 14 S SS 2004 vs Starcraft Marine Starfish 256 2012 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer - the Starcraft Marine SeaFarer 14 S SS 2004 or the Starcraft Marine Starfish 256 2012?

For trailering, the Starcraft Marine SeaFarer 14 S SS 2004 has the edge at 225 lbs dry weight versus 2 575 lbs for the Starcraft Marine Starfish 256 2012. Add a motor (typically 300–500 lbs for an outboard in this class), gear, and a partial fuel load and the difference grows. Lighter is friendlier on smaller tow vehicles and on fuel economy while hauling.

Q: Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Starcraft Marine Starfish 256 2012 is rated to a maximum of 200 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Starcraft Marine SeaFarer 14 S SS 2004 tops out at 30 hp. Keep in mind that maximum ratings are just that - matching the motor to the actual load and usage pattern usually matters more than chasing the ceiling.

Q: How many people can each boat hold?

The Starcraft Marine SeaFarer 14 S SS 2004 is Coast Guard rated for 4 passengers, while the Starcraft Marine Starfish 256 2012 is certified for 14. Note that legal capacity and comfortable capacity aren't always the same thing - on a full day out, most experienced boaters aim for about 80% of the rated number to keep things comfortable.

Q: Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Starcraft Marine Starfish 256 2012 measures 102" wide, compared to 67" for the Starcraft Marine SeaFarer 14 S SS 2004. The US standard-width towing limit is 8’6" (102") in most states - anything over that may need a wide-load permit. Confirm your specific route requirements with each state's DOT.

Q: Are the Starcraft Marine SeaFarer 14 S SS 2004 and Starcraft Marine Starfish 256 2012 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the Starcraft Marine SeaFarer 14 S SS 2004 and the Starcraft Marine Starfish 256 2012 are built by Starcraft Marine. That means shared dealer networks, common parts availability, and consistent build quality across the line. The choice between them is essentially a question of how much boat you need, not which brand you trust.

Boat Comparison

Starcraft Marine SeaFarer 14 S SS 2004 vs Starcraft Marine Starfish 256 2012

Starcraft Marine

Starcraft Marine SeaFarer 14 S SS 2004

2004

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Starcraft Marine

Starcraft Marine Starfish 256 2012

2012

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Starcraft Marine SeaFarer 14 S SS 2004 vs Starcraft Marine Starfish 256 2012: Same Brand, Different Boat

The Starcraft Marine SeaFarer 14 S SS 2004 vs Starcraft Marine Starfish 256 2012 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.

The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 200 hp, the Starcraft Marine Starfish 256 2012 has a 170-hp advantage over the Starcraft Marine SeaFarer 14 S SS 2004's 30-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 Starfish 256 2012 is rated for 14 passengers, while the Starcraft Marine SeaFarer 14 S SS 2004 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 Starfish 256 2012 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Starcraft Marine Starfish 256 2012 if your priority is putting more people on the water - it handles 14 passengers and at 26,8 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Starcraft Marine SeaFarer 14 S SS 2004 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 4 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeStarcraft Marine

ModelSeaFarer 14 S SS

ModelStarfish 256

Model Year2004

Model Year2012

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam67 in.

Beam102 in.

Beam - Meters1.7

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Inches67

Beam - Inches102

Deadrise8℃

Deadrisenot available

Weight - Detail225 lbs.

Weight - Detail2,575 lbs.

Weight - kg102.06

Weight - kg1168

Weight - lbs.225

Weight - lbs.2575

Height - Detail29 in.

Height - Detailnot available

Height - Meters0.74

Height - Metersnot available

Height - Inches29

Height - Inchesnot available

Height [transom]15 in.

Height [transom]20 in.

Length overall - Detail14 ft. 3 in.

Length overall - Detail26 ft. 10 in.

Length overall - Meters4.34

Length overall - Meters8.18

Length overall - Inches171

Length overall - Inches322

Depth - Detailnot available

Depth - Detail27 in.

Depth - Centimetersnot available

Depth - Centimeters68.58

Depth - Inchesnot available

Depth - Inches27

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Feet26.83

Body / Hull

Hull materialAluminum

Hull typenot available

Hull typePontoon

Engine and Drivetrain

Engine max30

Engine max200 hp

Engine makenot available

Engine makeMercury

Engine modelnot available

Engine model60 ELPT EFI

Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Detail24 gal.

Fuel tank capacity - Litersnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Liters90.85

Fuel tank capacity - Galnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Gal24

Fuel typenot available

Fuel typeGas

Drive typenot available

Drive typeOutboard

Operational Info

Maximum capacity920 lbs.

Maximum capacity1,925 lbs.

Maximum people4 persons

Maximum people14

Starcraft Marine SeaFarer 14 S SS 2004 vs Starcraft Marine Starfish 256 2012 - Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer - the Starcraft Marine SeaFarer 14 S SS 2004 or the Starcraft Marine Starfish 256 2012?

For trailering, the Starcraft Marine SeaFarer 14 S SS 2004 has the edge at 225 lbs dry weight versus 2 575 lbs for the Starcraft Marine Starfish 256 2012. Add a motor (typically 300–500 lbs for an outboard in this class), gear, and a partial fuel load and the difference grows. Lighter is friendlier on smaller tow vehicles and on fuel economy while hauling.

Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Starcraft Marine Starfish 256 2012 is rated to a maximum of 200 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Starcraft Marine SeaFarer 14 S SS 2004 tops out at 30 hp. Keep in mind that maximum ratings are just that - matching the motor to the actual load and usage pattern usually matters more than chasing the ceiling.

How many people can each boat hold?

The Starcraft Marine SeaFarer 14 S SS 2004 is Coast Guard rated for 4 passengers, while the Starcraft Marine Starfish 256 2012 is certified for 14. Note that legal capacity and comfortable capacity aren't always the same thing - on a full day out, most experienced boaters aim for about 80% of the rated number to keep things comfortable.

Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Starcraft Marine Starfish 256 2012 measures 102" wide, compared to 67" for the Starcraft Marine SeaFarer 14 S SS 2004. The US standard-width towing limit is 8’6" (102") in most states - anything over that may need a wide-load permit. Confirm your specific route requirements with each state's DOT.

Are the Starcraft Marine SeaFarer 14 S SS 2004 and Starcraft Marine Starfish 256 2012 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the Starcraft Marine SeaFarer 14 S SS 2004 and the Starcraft Marine Starfish 256 2012 are built by Starcraft Marine. That means shared dealer networks, common parts availability, and consistent build quality across the line. The choice between them is essentially a question of how much boat you need, not which brand you trust.

← Starcraft Marine SeaFarer 14 S SS 2004 full specs ← Starcraft Marine Starfish 256 2012 full specs