Both the Starcraft Marine SF DLX 16 2013 and the Starcraft Marine SS 229 Center Console OB 2008 are modified-V designs, the first built in aluminium and the second in fibreglass, so 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?

Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Starcraft Marine SS 229 Center Console OB 2008 measures 21,0 feet overall (2008), giving it roughly 4,6 additional feet of deck space compared to the Starcraft Marine SF DLX 16 2013 at 16,4 feet (2013). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Starcraft Marine SS 229 Center Console OB 2008 tips the scales at 2 840 lbs - 2 420 lbs less than the Starcraft Marine SF DLX 16 2013 at 420 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 250 hp, the Starcraft Marine SS 229 Center Console OB 2008 has a 210-hp advantage over the Starcraft Marine SF DLX 16 2013's 40-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 SS 229 Center Console OB 2008 is rated for 12 passengers, while the Starcraft Marine SF DLX 16 2013 caps at 5. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Starcraft Marine SS 229 Center Console OB 2008 could be the deciding factor.