The Starcraft Marine Starfish 246 2004 vs Starcraft Marine Starliner 256 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 246 2004 at 24,0 ft versus Starcraft Marine Starliner 256 2011 at 25,3 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Starcraft Marine Starfish 246 2004 tips the scales at 205 lbs — 179 lbs more than the Starcraft Marine Starliner 256 2011 at 26 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 200 hp, the Starcraft Marine Starliner 256 2011 has a 65-hp advantage over the Starcraft Marine Starfish 246 2004's 135-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Starcraft Marine Starfish 246 2004 carries 23 gallons versus 3 gallons in the Starcraft Marine Starliner 256 2011. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Starcraft Marine Starfish 246 2004 is rated for 15 passengers, while the Starcraft Marine Starliner 256 2011 caps at 14. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Starcraft Marine Starfish 246 2004 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Starcraft Marine Starfish 246 2004 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 15 passengers and at 24,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Starcraft Marine Starliner 256 2011 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 14 that costs less to run day-to-day.