Starcraft Marine Starfire 170 DC 2005 boat specs
Starcraft Marine
Starcraft Marine Starfire 170 DC 2005
2005
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VS
Starcraft Marine Starfish 226 F-N-C 2011 boat specs
Starcraft Marine
Starcraft Marine Starfish 226 F-N-C 2011
2011
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Starcraft Marine Starfire 170 DC 2005 vs Starcraft Marine Starfish 226 F-N-C 2011 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Starcraft Marine Starfire 170 DC 2005 vs Starcraft Marine Starfish 226 F-N-C 2011 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.

Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Starcraft Marine Starfish 226 F-N-C 2011 measures 22,3 feet overall (2011), giving it roughly 6,3 additional feet of deck space compared to the Starcraft Marine Starfire 170 DC 2005 at 16,0 feet (2005). At 105 lbs and 195 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 150 hp, the Starcraft Marine Starfish 226 F-N-C 2011 has a 60-hp advantage over the Starcraft Marine Starfire 170 DC 2005's 90-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Both carry nearly identical fuel loads — 23 gal and 24 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Starcraft Marine Starfish 226 F-N-C 2011 is rated for 11 passengers, while the Starcraft Marine Starfire 170 DC 2005 caps at 6. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Starcraft Marine Starfish 226 F-N-C 2011 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Starcraft Marine Starfish 226 F-N-C 2011 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 11 passengers and at 22,3 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Starcraft Marine Starfire 170 DC 2005 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 6 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
MakeStarcraft Marine
MakeStarcraft Marine
ModelStarfire 170 DC
ModelStarfish 226 F-N-C
Model Year2005
Model Year2011
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam85 in. (216 cm)
Beam102 in
Beam - Meters2.16
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Inches85
Beam - Inches102
Deadrise15℃
Deadrisenot available
Depth - Detail27 in. (69 cm)
Depth - Detail27 in
Depth - Centimeters68.58
Depth - Centimeters68.58
Depth - Inches27
Depth - Inches27
Draft [drive up] - Detail13 in. (33 cm)
Draft [drive up] - Detailnot available
Draft [drive up] meters0.33
Draft [drive up] metersnot available
Draft [drive up] inches13
Draft [drive up] inchesnot available
Draft [max] - Detail24 in. (61 cm)
Draft [max] - Detailnot available
Draft [max] - Meters0.61
Draft [max] - Metersnot available
Draft [max] - Inches24
Draft [max] - Inchesnot available
Weight - Detail1,050 lbs. (476.3 kg)
Weight - Detail1,950 lbs
Weight - kg476.27
Weight - kg884.5
Weight - lbs.105
Weight - lbs.195
Width [transom] - Detail78 in. (198 cm) Chine Width (at transom): 69 in. (175 cm)
Width [transom] - Detailnot available
Height [transom]20 in. (51 cm)
Height [transom]20 in
Length - Meters5.2
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Feet16
Length - Feet22.25
Length - Inches11
Length - Inchesnot available
Length overall - Detail16 ft. 11 in. (5.2 m)
Length overall - Detail22 ft. 3 in
Length overall - Meters5.16
Length overall - Meters6.78
Length overall - Inches203
Length overall - Inches267
Body / Hull
Hull materialAluminum
Hull materialAluminum
Hull thickness.080 in. (.203 cm)
Hull thicknessnot available
Hull typenot available
Hull typePontoon
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail23 gal. (87.1 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail24 gal
Fuel tank capacity - Liters87.06
Fuel tank capacity - Liters90.85
Fuel tank capacity - Gal23
Fuel tank capacity - Gal24
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeOutboard
Engine max90 hp (68 kw)
Engine max150 hp
Fuel typenot available
Fuel typeGas
Operational Info
Maximum capacity1,500 lbs. (680.4 kg)
Maximum capacity2,200 lbs
Maximum people6
Maximum people11
Trailer Info
Trailer - DetailTowing Wt. W/200 Merc Opt.: 2,210 lbs. (1,002.5 kg)
Trailer - Detailnot available
Trailer - Length over all20 ft. 6 in. (6.3 m)
Trailer - Length over allnot available
Pontoon and Inflatable Specific
Tube gaugenot available
Tube gauge0.080 in

Starcraft Marine Starfire 170 DC 2005 vs Starcraft Marine Starfish 226 F-N-C 2011 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Starcraft Marine Starfire 170 DC 2005 or the Starcraft Marine Starfish 226 F-N-C 2011?
The Starcraft Marine Starfish 226 F-N-C 2011 is the longer of the two at 22,3 feet overall. The Starcraft Marine Starfire 170 DC 2005 comes in at 16,0 feet, making it roughly 6,3 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.
Which is easier to trailer — the Starcraft Marine Starfire 170 DC 2005 or the Starcraft Marine Starfish 226 F-N-C 2011?
For trailering, the Starcraft Marine Starfire 170 DC 2005 has the edge at 105 lbs dry weight versus 195 lbs for the Starcraft Marine Starfish 226 F-N-C 2011. 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 226 F-N-C 2011 is rated to a maximum of 150 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Starcraft Marine Starfire 170 DC 2005 tops out at 90 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 Starfire 170 DC 2005 is Coast Guard rated for 6 passengers, while the Starcraft Marine Starfish 226 F-N-C 2011 is certified for 11. 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 226 F-N-C 2011 measures 102" wide, compared to 85" for the Starcraft Marine Starfire 170 DC 2005. 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.
How do the fuel tanks compare on the Starcraft Marine Starfire 170 DC 2005 and Starcraft Marine Starfish 226 F-N-C 2011?
Both boats carry similar fuel loads — 23 gallons and 24 gallons respectively. Range will depend heavily on motor choice, throttle usage, and whether you're on flat lake water or coastal chop.
Are the Starcraft Marine Starfire 170 DC 2005 and Starcraft Marine Starfish 226 F-N-C 2011 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Starcraft Marine Starfire 170 DC 2005 and the Starcraft Marine Starfish 226 F-N-C 2011 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.