At only 16 feet, 10 inches, Starcraft’s SV 16 is one of the smallest deck boats on the market but offers big value for the family buyer looking to spend a great day on the water. In the process, it also never looks cheap. Rather than a simple white base with applied graphics, the hull is available in a choice of bold primary shades, like our test boat’s Electric Blue. That color carries over as an accent onto a generous array of interior upholstery that further belies the boat’s low price tag. Rounding out the standards are MarineMat, EVA-covered bow and stern platforms, and a Wet Sounds MC5 stereo. 

The SV 16 carries its beam well forward in typical Starcraft fashion, resulting in a rectangular profile that notably increases the usable interior space. Seating is arrayed into three primary zones. Two lengthwise couches line the bow, inviting a pair of passengers to stretch out and lounge or multiple family members or friends to sit up and socialize. Aft, a three-passenger bench spans from the helm to the portside gunwale. When on the hook or at the sandbar, its wrap-over backrests cushion passengers sitting on a third area, the upper deck of the two-tier EVA-­covered swim platform. The latter is a great spot to hang out or gear up for watersports. Stowage awaits below for wet gear like snorkels or watersports towropes.

Our test boat was equipped with a 70 hp Yamaha outboard, a power choice that delivered reliability, fuel efficiency, and enough performance to more than satisfy the intended audience. Slam the throttle down, and the boat reaches a top speed just shy of 31 mph in about 8 ­seconds flat. Crank the wheel at speed, and the craft nimbly carves a turn, staying hooked up at the stern. Encounter some unwelcome chop on the way back to the dock, and you can hold plane as low as 16 mph for a more comfortable ride. 

As to that fuel efficiency, we noted a mere 6 gph consumption at top speed and burned only 2.9 gph at a comfortable cruising speed. The combo makes the SV 16 affordable not only on the showroom floor, but also through years of ownership. Add in all that interior space, and you get more than you pay for.

High Points

• Optional Fun Package includes ski tow bar, bow rails and bow lounge backrest.
• Expansive, EVA-covered bow functions as a boarding or casting platform.
• Underseat storage compartments are covered in a durable, truck-liner-style coating.

How We Tested

• Engine: Yamaha 70
• Drive/Prop: Outboard/Yamaha 13 1/2″ x 12″ 3-blade aluminum
• Gear Ratio: 2.33:1 Fuel Load: 14 gal. Crew Weight: 155 lb.

Pricing and Specs

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This new RX 25 Q proves that ­Starcraft produces high-end pontoons as well as it produces affordable boats. This pontoon will catch the eye whether cruising or at the sandbar. With a Yamaha 300, top speed is 44 mph; it launched to 30 mph in 6.1 seconds. The RX proved responsive to steering and throttle, banks slightly in hard-over turns, and cruises over lake chop with aplomb. Fuel economy? Our most economical cruising speed was 19 mph, where the Yamaha 300 burned 6.2 gph for 3.1 mpg. That’s 168 miles of range from the 60-gallon fuel tank, leaving 10 percent in reserve.

Underneath, the boat’s tri-toon HMX ­Performance Package features triple 25-inch-­diameter logs with lifting strakes and a full-length underskin to help smooth the way over the water.

From the dock, the new perimeter surround gives the RX a sleek, molded appearance. The painted fiberglass panels with clear coat have a brilliant shine designed to last many years. The wraparound sculpted bow panels feature ­custom lighting pods that hold the navigation and docking lights. Color-matched pontoons really stand out—they’re a ­must-have ­option.

Flooring is teak weave, an optional upgrade. The light-tan soft-touch pillow-top seating surfaces and diamond-weave insets work together for a plush look and comfortable feel. All seating features roto-cast bases, water-diverting channels built in to keep stored gear dry, and recessed toe kicks for moving about in the ­cockpit easily. Hinges can articulate at the rear, so there’s no lifting from there or leaning over open cushions to access stored gear.

Dual consoles with framed safety-glass windshields envelop the cockpit crew; digital Yamaha gauges and a touchscreen Simrad dash with digital lighted switching help the captain keep tabs on the ­engine and the boat’s electric systems.

The aft portside lounge features a reversible seatback to allow for forward- or aft-facing lounging in multiple positions. A stainless-steel safety railing keeps riders aboard while underway. An extended aft deck with a watersports tow bar and LilliPad boarding ladder makes boarding and watersports prep easy and accessible.

High Points

• Optional in-floor storage is cavernous.
• Heavy-duty extruded rails cap the fiberglass panels and are replaceable without ordering an entire rail.
• Fiberglass styling looks great.
• Color-matched pontoons look fantastic—order them.

How We Tested

• Engine: Yamaha F300 ­four-stroke outboard
• Drive/Prop: Outboard/Yamaha Saltwater Series II 15.5″ x 16″ 3-blade stainless steel
• Gear Ratio: 1.75:1 Fuel Load: 30 gal. Crew Weight: 250 lb.

Pricing and Specs

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Starcraft’s SVX 191 OB is a fully featured, multitasking runabout with plenty of power, speed and space for full family days on the water. With a ­Yamaha 150 outboard, it romps to 30 mph in just 6 seconds and tops out at 46 mph. It’s thrifty too; with its 45-gallon fuel tank, it has a range of 185 miles with 10 percent in reserve at its most economical cruise speed of 23 mph and 3,500 rpm, sipping fuel at just over 5 gph and netting 4.6 mpg.

The fiberglass pad V-hull has a ­14-degree deadrise at the transom, ­giving it a wave-slicing ride with sharp and ­precise turning capability. Ripping over afternoon lake chop and passing boat wakes at speeds in the 40 mph range proved well within its realm.

Topside, the SVX features an open floor plan. In the bow, an extended foredeck makes boarding and hopping off at the sandbar easy. Here I found an anchor locker, with a forward boarding ladder for climbing back on board. Soft-touch EVA Traction Mat flooring is fitted throughout the boat, making for comfortable transit, easy cleanup and a fresh look.

Up front, twin facing benches seat three each, with storage underneath to swallow up the gear you need for the day. Upholstery is two-tone gray and thickly padded, with a diamond-stitched inset. Along the port side, the bench seating continues all the way to the stern, interrupted amidships by a small backrest/storage console. It continues to the stern, curving inward in an L shape all the way across, with a narrow egress passage to the aft deck. An in-floor storage locker is standard. Should you have the desire to wet a line, an optional Fishing Package includes an aerated livewell with two fishing pedestal seats. A shade-providing Bimini top is standard.

The captain’s console features analog-style electronic gauges and standard SeaStar tilt-helm hydraulic steering, along with a standard Wet Sounds Bluetooth stereo and Helix 5 in-dash digital display. 

The aft deck is separated from the ­cockpit and features a watersports tow bar and folding stainless-steel boarding ladder. It’s another great spot for the sandbar as well as prepping for watersports.

High Points

• Traction Mat EVA soft-touch floor covering is much easier on the feet and quick to clean up. 
• Wide-open cockpit and high-load capacity mean everyone can ride along.  
• Foredeck features make boarding easy from the dock or the sandbar.

How We Tested

• Engine: Yamaha F150 four-stroke outboard
• Drive/Prop: Outboard/Yamaha Reliance 14.25″ x 17″ 3-blade stainless steel
• Gear Ratio: 2.00:1 Fuel Load: 22 gal. Crew Weight: 250 lb.

Pricing and Specs

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Starcraft’s RX 23 is part of its new flagship pontoon series, pampering family buyers with plush furniture and performance. Rather than traditional aluminum panels or molded fiberglass, Starcraft debuts industry-first acrylic-capped ABS plastic panels over an aluminum framework that are durable, being UV- and impact-resistant. The system also features a high-gloss, mirrorlike finish. Another advantage? ABS is lighter than fiberglass, adding to the RX’s overall performance and fuel efficiency.

As promised, the interior indeed pairs plush seating and an equally eye-catching style. Plump couches line the port and starboard sides of the boat from bow to stern, with pillow-top uppers and generous thigh bolsters to cradle and secure passengers. Lumbar regions feature attractive diamond-pattern stitching, and each individual couch offers a recessed nook containing a pair of cup holders, and USB and USB-C charging ports. Roto-molded bases are wrapped in vinyl and offer plenty of low-maintenance storage potential below. Fiberglass helm and passenger consoles sit atop 3-inch-raised MarineMat-topped platforms that add a welcome increase in visibility forward. Check out their individual Taylor Made windshields. They’re rimmed in wide black frames and further enhance the boat’s individual character. Overhead, choose a standard power canopy or an optional cladded Sport Arch or Wake Tower, both with integrated ­Biminis, that offer shade and style. 

Belowdecks, Starcraft’s HMX PR25 Performance Package features a trio of 25-inch-diameter tubes with ­individual lifting strakes and belowdecks aluminum skirting. It also adds hydraulic steering, a heavy-duty understructure and a stainless-steel ski pylon. The pontoon configuration, available in an ­optional black paint for those all-­important style points, provided spirited handling at speed, with confident stability. Outboard motors are available from ­Yamaha, Mercury, Suzuki or Honda from 150 to 300 hp. Our Yamaha 300 pushed the RX onto plane in 4 seconds, reached over 30 mph in just over 8, and topped out at 46.5 mph.

High Points

• Standard JL Audio MM50 Bluetooth stereo, Simrad NSS7, CZone digital switching and pop-up changing room.
• Welded transom and ¾-inch marine plywood deck, with a limited lifetime warranty on the floor, deck, tubes and transom.

How We Tested

• Engine: Yamaha F300 XCB
• Drive/Prop: Outboard/Yamaha Saltwater Series II 15 ¼” x 19″ 3-blade stainless steel
• Gear Ratio: 1.75:1 Fuel Load: 52 gal. Crew Weight: 400 lb.

Pricing and Specs

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Overview

We’ve tested many variations of Starcraft’s SVX series. Now, the SVX’s stable, reverse-chine hull and deep cockpit adds a family-friendly center-console to its fleet. Our SVX 231 OB CC handled chop and wakes, while offering angling amenities—such as 360-degree fishability—with family-boat comfort and versatility.

Interior and Accessories

The double-wide leaning post stands ready for captain and mate. A U-shaped bench forward takes advantage of the great cockpit depth to offer secure comfort. A solo crewmember can sit in front of the console. Aft, a transom bench seats two more. Stow drinks and food in the handy cooler below the leaning post. Should nature call, take advantage of the head compartment within the console. It also doubles as a great spot to stow gear.

All of the above quickly morphs when fishing takes center stage. That transom seat folds up to clear the aft cockpit. Remove and stow the forward cushions to reveal elevated MarineMat-covered platforms that can be used as mini casting decks. An optional livewell can be added below the step onto the raised bow platform. Aft, the standard livewell in the port corner features a clear acrylic lid anchored with friction hinges. There are also pull-out Plano tackle boxes behind a hatch amidship, undergunwale rod storage on both port and starboard sides, and options to add a trolling motor, pedestal fishing seats, or even a fiberglass T-top. A feature that does double duty? Check out the recessed trays atop both gunwales. They’re a handy spot to temporarily set down everything from drinks and phones to tools and lures. 

Engine

At the helm, generous real estate houses your choice of electronics, including our test boat’s dual Simrad GO9 touchscreen MFD displays. As to power, a wide-ranging selection includes choices from ­Yamaha, Mercury, Honda and Suzuki, as well as options to switch to optional Dometic SeaStar ­hydraulic steering, ­Yamaha Digital Electronic Controls or Mercury Power Assist. Our test boat’s 300 hp Yamaha powered the hull onto plane in a brief 3 seconds, reached 30 mph in 5.9 seconds, and posted a 50 mph top speed. Handling was what we expect from the SVX hull—agile and ­comfortable in a ­variety of water conditions.

Read Next: Starcraft MVX 230 Surf

How We Tested

• Engine: Yamaha F300 XCB
• Drive/Prop: Outboard/Yamaha Saltwater Series II 15 ¼” x 19″ 3-blade stainless steel
• Gear Ratio: 1.75:1 Fuel Load: 52 gal. Crew Weight: 335 lb.

High Points

• Stainless-steel bow rails and MarineMat flooring on the bow and stern platforms.  
• Storage compartments finished with Gatorshield for durability.
• Privacy curtain with a portable toilet, and JL stereo upgrade are options.

Low Points

• Bilge hatch is placed directly behind transom bench, making access difficult.
• Likewise, two-part door/two-latch closure to access interior of center-console proves awkward in use.
• Combination bow anchor/ladder locker needs a tie-off for anchor rode’s bitter end.

Toughest Competitor

Hurricane’s 23-foot-2-inch Center Console 231 OB (starting at $85,420 with a Yamaha 300) pairs family and fishing features. The Hurricane opts for twin pedestal seats at the helm rather than a leaning post at its console, and has an enclosed head and built-in sink with a pressurized water system.

Pricing and Specs

Speed, Efficiency, Operation

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Starcraft may call the MVX 230 Surf a deck boat, but it’s got the unmistakable look and feel of today’s hottest wake-sports models. A trendy gray and black hull, with choice of a red, blue or tan accent, is bolder and darker than the typical Starcraft offering, with colors carrying seamlessly into the interior. A powered overhead tow-sports tower includes board racks and speakers. The Taylor Made tempered-glass windshield sports a sculpted black frame. Add a flip-over backrest ready for a portside spotter to turn and watch the action in the boat’s wake, MarineMat flooring ready to comfort bare feet, and backrests that ratchet upward from the sun pad, and you’re ready for everything, from a surfin’ safari to chilling out at Ski Beach.

While the MVX will prove equally adept at towing tubes and skis, it has surf in its name, so you better believe surf is in its game. MerCruiser’s Bravo Four S drive offers the benefits of a sterndrive but positions the prop forward to keep that all-important surf zone clear. A trio of ballast bags, tucked into port and starboard storage compartments and a ski locker, don’t sacrifice cargo space when empty. They pair with hard tanks forward for a total of 2,400 pounds of water ballast. Wake Worx surf tabs on the transom put the fine touches on the wake on a surfer’s preferred side. 

Control of all these features is integrated into one of two Simrad GO9 touchscreens at the helm. Dedicate one to engine data and functions, then dial in speed, ballast, wake position and shape on the other. Individual rider profiles can be saved in convenient presets to simplify subsequent ride sessions.

Starcraft pairs the surf-friendly Bravo Four S drive with a single-engine choice, MerCruiser’s 300 hp 6.2-liter. The ­combo pushed our test boat onto plane in 4 seconds before topping out at 47.3 mph. Unlike comparable V-drives, the Bravo Four can be trimmed to lift the bow and achieve faster top-end speed, as well as offer a softer ride in rough water. The positioning of props also quickens the boat’s response, ­giving it a fun, agile feel.

High Points

• Port console has a sink, glove box and storage.
• Standard port and helm heaters warm early-morning or late-season sessions.
• CZone digital switching automates functions and allows keyless ignition. Vroom!

How We Tested

• Engine: Mercury MerCruiser 6.2L V-8
• Drive/Prop: Bravo Four S drive/21-pitch counter-rotating stainless-steel propset
• Gear Ratio: 2.00:1 Fuel Load: 26 gal. Crew Weight: 155 lb.

Pricing and Specs

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Starcraft’s RX 23 is part of its new flagship pontoon series, pampering family buyers with plush furniture and performance. Rather than traditional aluminum panels or molded fiberglass, Starcraft debuts industry-first acrylic-capped ABS plastic panels over an aluminum framework that are durable, being UV- and impact-resistant. The system also features a high-gloss, mirrorlike finish. Another advantage? ABS is lighter than fiberglass, adding to the RX’s overall performance and fuel efficiency.

As promised, the interior indeed pairs plush seating and an equally eye-catching style. Plump couches line the port and starboard sides of the boat from bow to stern, with pillow-top uppers and generous thigh bolsters to cradle and secure passengers. Lumbar regions feature attractive diamond-pattern stitching, and each individual couch offers a recessed nook containing a pair of cup holders, and USB and USB-C charging ports. Roto-molded bases are wrapped in vinyl and offer plenty of low-maintenance storage potential below. Fiberglass helm and passenger consoles sit atop 3-inch-raised MarineMat-topped platforms that add a welcome increase in visibility forward. Check out their individual Taylor Made windshields. They’re rimmed in wide black frames and further enhance the boat’s individual character. Overhead, choose a standard power canopy or an optional cladded Sport Arch or Wake Tower, both with integrated ­Biminis, that offer shade and style. 

Belowdecks, Starcraft’s HMX PR25 Performance Package features a trio of 25-inch-diameter tubes with ­individual lifting strakes and belowdecks aluminum skirting. It also adds hydraulic steering, a heavy-duty understructure and a stainless-steel ski pylon. The pontoon configuration, available in an ­optional black paint for those all-­important style points, provided spirited handling at speed, with confident stability. Outboard motors are available from ­Yamaha, Mercury, Suzuki or Honda from 150 to 300 hp. Our Yamaha 300 pushed the RX onto plane in 4 seconds, reached over 30 mph in just over 8, and topped out at 46.5 mph.

High Points

• Standard JL Audio MM50 Bluetooth stereo, Simrad NSS7, CZone digital switching and pop-up changing room.
• Welded transom and ¾-inch marine plywood deck, with a limited lifetime warranty on the floor, deck, tubes and transom.

How We Tested

• Engine: Yamaha F300 XCB
• Drive/Prop: Outboard/Yamaha Saltwater Series II 15 ¼” x 19″ 3-blade stainless steel
• Gear Ratio: 1.75:1 Fuel Load: 52 gal. Crew Weight: 400 lb.

Pricing and Specs

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The SVX series deck boat has proven one of Starcraft’s most versatile platforms. It combines a stable reverse-chine hull that excels in a variety of water conditions with a rectangular profile topside, which maintains beam width nearly all the way forward to maximize interior space. Within, a deeper-than-average cockpit provides a secure feel for passengers and the confidence to venture into larger waters. If those features sound like they’d make the SVX 231 OB a great center-­console fishboat or coastal explorer, we agree. Our test boat even looked the part, decked out with the pastel hull colors now popular in the offshore fishing segment.

Center-consoles work well for tasks such as fishing because they offer uninterrupted access to nearly all of a boat’s perimeter, but family boats aren’t battlewagons. The SVX 231 balances the needs of both audiences with a versatile layout, featuring a doublewide leaning post for the captain and mate, a U-shaped bench wrapping the spacious, rectangular bow cockpit, and a solo seat in front of the console. Aft, a transom seat carries two more passengers. An optional pop-in ski pylon is ready to pull family members on their choice of towables.

Ready to fish? Fold up that transom seat to clear the deck aft. A standard livewell waits to port. Its clear acrylic lid stays open while accessing the contents within thanks to friction hinges. A recessed tray on the gunwale is a perfect spot for lures. Pull-out Plano tackle boxes reveal themselves in drawers amidships, along with storage for multiple rods in each inwale. Remove the forward bow cushion, and the MarineMat-covered ­forward deck ­doubles as a casting platform. An additional livewell can be added below the revealed step. Other potential options include a trolling motor and plug, pedestal fishing seats and a console hardtop.

Underway, our test boat handled with the agility we’ve come to expect from the SVX hull, carving aggressive corners at speed and easily handling lake chop. The 300 hp Yamaha outboard on the transom pushed the boat onto plane in a scant 3 seconds and to 30 mph in 5.9, and topped out at a speedy 50 mph.

High Points

• Stainless-steel bow rails and MarineMat flooring on the bow and stern platforms.  
• Storage compartments finished with Gatorshield for durability.
• Privacy curtain with a portable toilet, and JL stereo upgrade are options.

How We Tested

• Engine: Yamaha F300 XCB
• Drive/Prop: Outboard/Yamaha Saltwater Series II 15¼” x 19″ 3-blade stainless steel
• Gear Ratio: 1.75:1 Fuel Load: 52 gal. Crew Weight: 335 lb.

Pricing and Specs

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The Starcraft Delta 188 DC Pro is a multispecies aluminum fishing boat designed for the serious angler who wants to get after it in all kinds of weather. The Vertex Performance Strake hull tapers to 15 degrees at the transom, providing quick planing and strong rough-water capabilities while still ­allowing it to float in skinny water to get after those fish holding up in the shallow ­backwaters and bays.

In addition to the solid-performing aluminum hull, the bow casting platform takes advantage of the boat’s 8-foot beam to provide space for two anglers to cast and fish without getting into each other’s way. There’s plenty of in-sole storage up front, as well as an insulated livewell just in front of the port console.

The helm has space to mount an MFD for your electronics suite of choice. At the helm, the tilt steering allows you to adjust the wheel to your preference, all of the gauges are easy to read, and the CZone digital switches are right at hand for ease of use. A hidden slide-out ­drawer under the steering wheel holds up to three tackle trays.

Want to bring your entire quiver to a tournament? Between the consoles there’s a lockable rod-storage locker that has fully extended rod tubs for 8-foot rods. A second lockable rod locker sits underfoot to port in the main cockpit. The aft casting deck also offers premium fishing space, with another recirculating livewell built. In addition, a plug-in cooler can be added under the port console that can serve as an additional baitwell.

Starcraft’s Integrated Gunnel Track System extends from the transom all the way to the bow, so you can ­customize your accessories all around the boat. Add rod and cup holders, ­downriggers, additional electronics mounts, and more to the cache of gear that will help you catch more fish. And don’t overlook the additional storage compartment in the rear deck, which can hold tackle trays, life jackets, tools, and other gear that you might need on the water. Overall, the Starcraft Delta 188 DC Pro is a boat designed to get you to the fish and then help you catch them.

High Points

• Full walk-through windshield keeps the crew protected from the elements.
• Spacious bow casting platform is large enough for two people to fish simultaneously.
• Integrated tracking system on the gunwales allows you to add rod and cup holders,  downriggers, electronics, and more.
• The Delta in the name is for the 15-inch VPS delta pad on the hull, which, like with a bass boat, helps the boat get more lift out of the hole and keep balanced and tracking at higher speeds.

Pricing and Specs

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With a lifetime warranty on the transom and decks, plus a full six-year warranty on the vinyl or carpet, anglers should know that they are considering a quality boat before they even lay eyes on the Starweld Flex 19 DC Pro. Of course, once you see this boat in person, the quality features jump out.

For instance, there are two livewells aboard this boat: a 12-gallon stern well and another well with a ­whopping 25-gallon capacity in the bow. The transom splash pan inhibits water from flowing up and into the boat. Also, large casting platforms and lockable rod storage won’t go unnoticed. We also suggest taking note of the Jensen stereo, the six drink holders, the use of circuit breakers, and the No Feedback tilt-wheel steering. Chrome bezeled gauges look great, and the illuminated switches make ­operating the accessories easier, even if you hit the launch ramp before dawn’s early light.

It might not be as easy to see, but Starweld’s construction is also worthy of your attention. The hull is all-welded from 0.100-gauge marine-grade aluminum. Injected foam flotation provides security and helps deliver a solid feel when underway. The full-length reverse chine of this boat should deliver quicker planing and a drier ride. And, for those times you might want to pursue cruising or watersports instead of fish, we think that the convertibility of the optional rear bench will prove a favorite feature. Just flip it up to reveal seats, and you are ready to roll.

Other available options include ­canvas, varying from a full enclosure to a Bimini top to a trailerable cover. The  Starweld Flex 19 DC Pro comes with the trolling-motor plug, and, if you choose, Starweld can install a quick-­disconnect 12-/24-volt trolling motor. The three-step boarding ladder is a feature that we recommend, both for swimming and watersports, as well as for providing a ­secure means of reboarding. You can even order a RAM-mounted ­Humminbird fish finder installed from the factory. For a boat with top ­construction and versatile features, check out the Starweld Flex Pro 19 DC Pro.

High Points 

• All-welded, rugged 0.100-gauge marine-grade aluminum construction.
• Exclusive Torsion Beam Construction and machine-formed ribs provide great strength and a smooth ride.
• Feature-filled, including two livewells, a vinyl-covered cockpit, and lockable rod storage.
• Dedicated battery storage and seat mount on rear casting platform.

Pricing and Specs

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