Pulse Reviews and Analysis
Best Starcraft Boat Models (Ranked)
Curated by Kory White · Fractional CRO, CRO Syndicate
Best Starcraft Boat Models (Ranked)
Starcraft has been building aluminum boats in Indiana since 1903, and the modern lineup leans hard into welded and riveted hulls aimed at families who want durability without the cost of fiberglass. This ranking is for buyers shopping pontoons, deck boats, and aluminum fishing rigs who care about real value, towability, and freshwater versatility.
We judged the field on build quality, ride comfort, layout flexibility, dealer support, and resale strength, weighing both new MSRP and what these boats actually fetch used. Whether you tow behind a midsize SUV to a local lake or want a tri-toon that handles wakes, there is a Starcraft here for most freshwater missions and most budgets.
Direct Answer
The best overall Starcraft is the 2024 Starcraft SVX 231 OB tri-toon, a versatile performance pontoon that prices around $72,000 rigged with a 250-hp outboard. For the best value, the 2024 Starcraft EX 20 R deck-style pontoon delivers a true family layout for roughly $38,000 well-equipped.
Prices swing widely with engine choice and options, so always confirm the rigged out-the-door number, not the bare hull MSRP.
How We Ranked
- Build quality — welded versus riveted aluminum, transom strength, and pontoon gauge separate boats that last decades from ones that loosen up.
- Ride and handling — tube count, lifting strakes, and hull deadrise decide how each boat handles chop, wakes, and tight turns.
- Layout and capacity — usable seating, storage, and rated person capacity matter most for the family buyers who shop Starcraft.
- Value retained — strong NADA resale and dealer demand protect your money and make trade-ups easier down the road.
- Engine and tow fit — sensible horsepower ranges and trailer weight keep these boats matched to real-world tow vehicles and ramps.
1. 2024 Starcraft SVX 231 OB 🏆 BEST OVERALL
The SVX 231 OB is the boat that shows what Starcraft can do when it stops compromising. Built on a performance tri-toon package with center-tube lifting strakes and 25-inch diameter tubes, it carries up to a 300-hp outboard and cruises confidently in the high 30s to low 40s mph depending on rigging.
The 23-foot deck rides on a wide 8-foot-6-inch beam, giving it stability in wind-driven chop that most family pontoons cannot match.
What earns it the top spot is balance. It seats a crowd, tows skiers, and still feels composed at speed. Fit and finish on the welded console, woven flooring, and powder-coated rails outclass the entry tubes.
Expect to pay around $72,000 with a 250-hp Yamaha, more if you load the sport package and twin batteries. Resale stays strong because performance tri-toons hold demand.
- Price: ~$72,000
- Pros: Excellent rough-water ride, high horsepower rating, premium fit and finish, strong resale.
- Cons: Pricey once rigged, heavier trailer package needs a capable tow vehicle.
Verdict: The most complete Starcraft for buyers who want one boat to do everything.
2. 2024 Starcraft EX 20 R 💎 BEST VALUE
The EX 20 R is the sweet spot of the pontoon line, a rear-lounge layout on round dual tubes that delivers genuine family room at a price that undercuts the tri-toons. At roughly 20 feet with a 90-to-115-hp rating, it is happy cruising, swimming, and casual tubing on inland lakes.
The welded transom and full-length under-deck make it more rigid than budget riveted competitors.
Value is the story here. You get color-matched panels, a quality bimini, and rotomolded furniture bases for around $38,000 with a 90-hp four-stroke. Drop to a 75-hp for an even lower entry.
It will not win drag races, but for the money it is the most boat-per-dollar in the catalog and the easiest Starcraft to tow behind a midsize truck or large SUV.
- Price: ~$38,000
- Pros: Family-friendly layout, light tow weight, strong value, easy to handle.
- Cons: Modest top speed, dual tubes limit rough-water comfort.
Verdict: The smartest-money Starcraft pontoon for first-time and budget families.
3. 2024 Starcraft SVX 211 OB
A 21-foot step into the performance SVX line, this tri-toon brings most of the 231's hardware in a tighter, lighter package. With a 22-to-25-inch tube setup and ratings up to 250-hp, it splits the difference between sport and family use. The shorter deck makes it nimble and a touch cheaper to rig.
Around $58,000 with a 200-hp outboard, it suits buyers who want tri-toon stability and speed but do not need 23 feet of deck. The center tube and strakes give it a planing feel rare in this size class.
- Price: ~$58,000
- Pros: Tri-toon stability, strong holeshot, easier to store than the 231.
- Cons: Less seating than the 231, still a premium price.
Verdict: A right-sized performance pontoon for smaller crews and tighter garages.
4. 2024 Starcraft Stealth 166 DC
The Stealth 166 DC is a welded aluminum dual-console fishing-and-family crossover. At 16-foot-6-inches with a 60-to-90-hp rating, it pairs a modified-V hull with a livewell, rod storage, and a removable ski pylon. It is a do-it-all small boat that tows easily and launches on shallow ramps.
Priced near $33,000 with a 90-hp four-stroke, the Stealth answers buyers who want fishing utility without giving up the option to pull kids on a tube. The welded hull resists the leaks that nag riveted competitors.
- Price: ~$33,000
- Pros: Welded hull, fish-and-family versatility, light and towable.
- Cons: Tight for large crowds, modest freeboard in big water.
Verdict: A versatile welded crossover for mixed fishing and family days.
5. 2024 Starcraft Fishmaster 196
The Fishmaster 196 is a serious multispecies aluminum boat at 19-foot-6-inches with a deep, dry deadrise and ratings up to 150-hp. Two pedestal seat bases, dual livewells, a bow casting deck, and heavy-gauge welded construction make it a credible big-lake fishing platform that still seats a small family.
At roughly $46,000 rigged with a 115-hp outboard, it competes directly with Lund and Crestliner mid-tiers. The wider beam and tall sides give confidence on rougher reservoirs and the Great Lakes' calmer days.
- Price: ~$46,000
- Pros: Big fishing deck, dry deep-V ride, heavy welded build.
- Cons: Fishing-first layout, less lounging comfort.
Verdict: The pick for anglers who occasionally bring the family along.
6. 2024 Starcraft CX 21 R
The CX 21 R is a step-up cruise pontoon with upgraded furniture, a stretched 21-foot rear-lounge layout, and a 90-to-150-hp rating. Color-matched fencing, premium vinyl, and a larger bimini push it above the EX line in comfort while staying on round dual tubes for value.
Expect about $44,000 with a 115-hp four-stroke. Add the performance package with lifting strakes and a third tube to firm up the ride. It is the comfortable middle child for families who want more polish than the EX without paying SVX money.
- Price: ~$44,000
- Pros: Upgraded comfort, generous lounging, optional tri-toon package.
- Cons: Base dual-tube ride is soft in chop, options add up fast.
Verdict: A comfortable cruiser pontoon with room to upgrade.
7. 2024 Starcraft EX 22 DL
The EX 22 DL stretches the value EX series to 22 feet with a dual-lounge floor plan that seats large groups. Rated up to 150-hp, it gives big-family buyers the most square footage in the affordable tier. The longer deck improves stability and tracking over the 20-footer.
At around $43,000 with a 115-hp outboard, it is a lot of pontoon for the money. Choose the third-tube option if you tow tubers regularly, since the dual-tube base prioritizes lounging over hole-shot.
- Price: ~$43,000
- Pros: Huge seating, value pricing, stable on calm water.
- Cons: Needs the tri-toon option for watersports, long to store.
Verdict: Maximum affordable deck space for big families.
8. 2024 Starcraft Stealth 176 DC
The Stealth 176 DC scales the welded dual-console formula to 17-foot-6-inches with a 90-to-115-hp rating. The extra length adds freeboard, a bigger bow casting area, and more passenger room than the 166 while keeping the leak-resistant welded hull and shallow-water manners.
Around $37,000 with a 115-hp four-stroke, it is a tidy fish-and-ski package. The modified-V hull and trim tabs handle moderate chop better than the smaller model, making it a strong all-arounder for varied lakes.
- Price: ~$37,000
- Pros: Welded hull, balanced fish-and-family use, good freeboard.
- Cons: Still tight for six adults, mid-pack speed.
Verdict: The Stealth to buy if the 166 feels too small.
9. 2024 Starcraft Renegade 168 DC
The Renegade 168 DC is a tiller-or-console-ready 16-foot-8-inch jon-style welded boat aimed at hardcore anglers and hunters. With a flat, stable mod-V layout, rod lockers, and a tough riveted-free hull, it shrugs off stumps, rocks, and shallow launches that scare fiberglass owners.
Priced near $29,000 with a 75-hp outboard, the Renegade is the rugged utility choice. It is not a family lounger, but for those who fish skinny water or run rivers, the durability and low price are hard to beat.
- Price: ~$29,000
- Pros: Tough welded utility hull, shallow draft, low price.
- Cons: Bare-bones comfort, not a family boat.
Verdict: The rugged angler's bargain in the lineup.
10. 2024 Starcraft SVX 191 OB
The smallest SVX, the 191 OB packs tri-toon performance into a 19-foot deck rated to 200-hp. With lifting strakes and a center tube, it planes quickly and turns sharply, making it the entry point for buyers who want sport-pontoon handling on a compact, easier-to-tow platform.
At roughly $50,000 with a 150-hp outboard, it costs more than a dual-tube cruiser of the same length, but the performance gap justifies it for watersports families. The shorter deck limits seating, so it suits smaller crews who prioritize speed and ride.
- Price: ~$50,000
- Pros: Quick planing, sharp handling, compact and towable.
- Cons: Premium price for the length, limited seating.
Verdict: Performance tri-toon manners in the smallest, easiest-to-tow package.
How to Choose
What to Look For
When shopping a used Starcraft, prioritize a few hard checks. Inspect the welds and rivets along the keel and transom for cracks, weeping, or pulled fasteners, since aluminum fatigue shows up there first. Pull engine hours and a compression test on any outboard, and budget for a trailer inspection because bunks, bearings, and brakes are often neglected.
On pontoons, look for tube dents, water trapped inside the logs, and signs the boat was beached hard. A professional marine survey is worth the cost on anything over $30,000, and confirm the rigged weight against your tow vehicle's real capacity, not the brochure number.
FAQ
Are Starcraft boats good quality? Yes, for the price tier. Starcraft uses welded aluminum hulls on its fishing and Stealth lines and offers tri-toon performance packages on the SVX pontoons. They are not luxury fiberglass cruisers, but for durable, towable freshwater boating, they are a respected mid-market brand with over a century of history.
What is the difference between a dual-tube and tri-toon Starcraft? A dual-tube pontoon rides on two round logs and prioritizes value and lounging stability, while a tri-toon adds a center tube with lifting strakes for faster planing, higher horsepower, and a firmer ride in chop.
SVX models are tri-toons; EX and CX base models use dual tubes with an optional third.
How much does a new Starcraft boat cost? Entry pontoons and small welded fishing boats start near $29,000 to $38,000, mid-tier cruisers run $43,000 to $50,000, and loaded performance tri-toons like the SVX 231 reach $72,000 or more once rigged with a large outboard. Engine choice is the biggest swing in final price.
Do Starcraft boats hold their value? Welded fishing models and performance tri-toons hold value best because demand stays steady on the used market. Dual-tube pontoons depreciate a bit faster but remain affordable. Strong dealer support and parts availability help resale across the lineup.
Bottom Line
For most buyers, the 2024 Starcraft SVX 231 OB is the best overall Starcraft thanks to its rough-water ride, high horsepower rating, and strong resale, while the 2024 Starcraft EX 20 R is the clear best value with a family layout for around $38,000. Match the hull to your water and your tow vehicle, confirm the rigged price, and a Starcraft will deliver durable freshwater fun for years.
Sources
- Boat Trader — new and used Starcraft pricing and listings
- Discover Boating — pontoon and aluminum boat buying guidance
- NADA Guides — Starcraft resale and used value benchmarks
- Boating Magazine — aluminum pontoon and tri-toon ride testing
- NMMA — recreational boating market and capacity standards
- BoatUS — marine survey and used-boat inspection guidance
*Keywords: Best Starcraft Boat Models (Ranked) — review, reviews, rating, comparison, best of 2027.*