When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Starcraft Marine Starcaster 2009 and the Starcraft Marine STX 2050 2012 are modified vee designs with aluminum construction — 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?

The Starcraft Marine STX 2050 2012 tops out at 250 hp. Engine specs for the Starcraft Marine Starcaster 2009 aren't listed — confirm with a dealer before selecting an outboard.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Starcraft Marine Starcaster 2009 is rated for 4 passengers, while the Starcraft Marine STX 2050 2012 caps at 1. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Starcraft Marine Starcaster 2009 could be the deciding factor.