The Starcraft Marine Starfish 226 2004 vs Starcraft Marine Starfish 246 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.
On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Starcraft Marine Starfish 226 2004 at 22,0 ft versus Starcraft Marine Starfish 246 2011 at 24,3 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Starcraft Marine Starfish 226 2004 tips the scales at 1 892 lbs — 1 667 lbs more than the Starcraft Marine Starfish 246 2011 at 225 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 150 hp, the Starcraft Marine Starfish 246 2011 has a 25-hp advantage over the Starcraft Marine Starfish 226 2004's 125-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 246 2011 is rated for 14 passengers, while the Starcraft Marine Starfish 226 2004 caps at 12. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Starcraft Marine Starfish 246 2011 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Starcraft Marine Starfish 246 2011 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 14 passengers and at 24,3 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Starcraft Marine Starfish 226 2004 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 12 that costs less to run day-to-day.