craigdritchie Posted January 28, 2014 Report Share Posted January 28, 2014 Boatguide magazine just published my boat test on Starcraft's new Starfish 176 SC - a nice 17-foot side console model that was powered by an E-TEC 135 HO. You can click here to read a copy of the boat test online. Or better yet, go buy a magazine and see even more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillM Posted January 28, 2014 Report Share Posted January 28, 2014 Craig, I thought StarCraft got out of the fishing game and were strictly doing pontoons? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roy Posted January 28, 2014 Report Share Posted January 28, 2014 Good boat, Craig. Thanks for the report. Did you just test it or did you have a chance to fish it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LesCulpJr Posted January 28, 2014 Report Share Posted January 28, 2014 I was checking them out at the boat show. very nice boat the price was nice too! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craigdritchie Posted January 28, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 28, 2014 (edited) Bill - Starcraft is very much in the fishing boat business. A lot of the US walleye tournament guys run their big boats (Fishmaster, STX, Viper, etc). You might be thinking of Sylvan, which quit making fishing boats two years ago so they could concentrate on pontoons. Roy - I spent the better part of a week down there testing boats last August, and certainly did fish out of the 176. For a 17 footer it's nice and stable, which is the result of the bottom plates running full-width for most of the boat's length. You can put two big guys up front and it doesn't budge. The other benefit is that it doesn't draw much water, so you can get right into the lilypads no problem. I also like that when you're up front by yourself, it's still low enough you can reach over the side and lip a bass without really having to reach for it. For the Kawarthas, Muskokas, Ottawa River/Larry, Quinte, etc. it's a really nice boat that will fit in the garage and tow easily behind a small SUV like a Highlander or an Escape. The 176 is a semi-V hull, so even with that wide bottom it will still eat up Kawartha-sized waves no problem. But someone who fishes mostly on big water like Erie or Georgian Bay would honestly be better off with something built for that, like an STX. One thing I should add ... that 135 E-TEC is an absolute rocket. Gorgeous motor! Edited January 28, 2014 by Craig_Ritchie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillM Posted January 28, 2014 Report Share Posted January 28, 2014 Ahhh Sylvan... at least I had the first letter correct :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sinker Posted January 28, 2014 Report Share Posted January 28, 2014 Cool! Love starcrafts boats! I think they're one of the best! S. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lew Posted January 28, 2014 Report Share Posted January 28, 2014 Cool! Love starcrafts boats! I think they're one of the best! S. Very nice boats, I've had a couple of them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave524 Posted January 29, 2014 Report Share Posted January 29, 2014 Big water fisherman really wish they would still make the Islanders Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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