Starcraft Boat FAQs

Starcraft’s story starts in 1903, when Arthur E. Schrock went to work at the Star Tank Company in Middlebury, Indiana. The company began building galvanized steel boats, and in 1926 Schrock bought the business, renamed it Starcraft and focused entirely on boats. More than 120 years later, we’re still building them.

Starcraft started in Middlebury, Indiana in 1903, and today every Starcraft is built in New Paris, Indiana, in the heart of Elkhart County manufacturing. That local, experienced workforce is a big part of the craftsmanship in every boat we build.

Yes. Starcraft is still owned and operated by the same family that started it all, now in its fifth generation. Many of our more than 500 employees have been with us for 30 years or more, and that experience shows up in every boat we build.

Starcraft has a long record of firsts. We launched our first fiberglass models in 1958, introduced the world’s first high performance aluminum fishing boat with a Deep V hull in 1965, and helped pioneer high performance pontoons with our HMX tubes. Today, we lead the industry in robotic pontoon tube welding.

Starcraft builds four kinds of boats: pontoons, fiberglass deck boats, aluminum fishing boats and aluminum utility boats. That range runs from 10 foot jon boats to 27 foot luxury pontoons, so there’s a Starcraft for nearly every way a family spends time on the water.

Every Starcraft deck boat, from the SV to the SVX, has a fiberglass hull. Each one starts with ISO NPG gel coat and a Blister Guard barrier coat, then an integrated stringer system fully encapsulated in woven roving and fiberglass mat. The deck and hull are screwed and bonded into a unitized two piece hull for added strength.

Every Starcraft aluminum fishing boat is riveted, using 5052 H34 marine grade aluminum on a one piece bottom, with double riveted chine and transom seams that let the hull flex for a smoother, drier ride. The exclusive Power Trac hull pairs machine formed ribs with our Torsion Beam Construction stringer system, so the boat flexes with the waves instead of fighting them.

Every Starcraft aluminum fishing boat is riveted. Riveted seams let the hull flex with the waves instead of fighting them, which adds up to a smoother, drier ride in rough water. The double riveted chine and transom seams are backed by a limited lifetime warranty.

Power Trac is Starcraft’s aluminum fishing hull design. A steeper deadrise and longitudinal ribs work with the Torsion Beam Construction stringer system to soften re entry and cut pounding in rough water, so you stay drier and more comfortable at higher speeds.

Starcraft pontoons are built on 6 inch wide hat channels in .125 gauge aluminum, or .250 gauge at heavy load points, each secured with 8 bolts. Transoms use up to .190 gauge aluminum with up to 20 stainless bolts, and the deck is 3/4 inch, 7 ply marine treated plywood through bolted to the frame.

HMX is Starcraft’s pontoon performance upgrade. Specially shaped performance strakes are welded to the tubes and paired with an optional PR25 or PR20 center tube, adding lift and tighter cornering. The result is a pontoon that planes faster, turns sharper and pulls skiers like a sport boat while keeping all its lounge space.

Starcraft leads the industry with a fully automated pontoon tube welding process. Robots weld each 25 inch tube, nose cone, riser bracket and full length keel for precise, consistent welds, which means better durability and more consistent quality from one tube to the next.

Every Starcraft is covered by the Lifetime +6 Warranty from Smoker Craft, Inc. That includes a limited lifetime warranty on the hull and structure, plus a six year limited warranty on marine grade flooring and, on most models, upholstery and vinyl. Parts and labor are included. Some exceptions apply, so check the full warranty for your model.

Yes. The Lifetime +6 Warranty transfers to a second owner, which adds real value when it’s time to sell your Starcraft. Your dealer can walk you through how the transfer works.

Starcraft aluminum fishing boats carry a limited lifetime warranty that includes the double riveted chine and transom seams, along with the hull structure. Check the full warranty for details on your model.

The complete warranty for every Smoker Craft, Inc. brand and model is available to view and download on the Lifetime +6 Warranty page. Your local Starcraft dealer can also answer questions about coverage on a specific boat.

It comes down to how you’ll spend most of your days. A pontoon gives you the most room to relax and entertain. A fiberglass deck boat rides more like a runabout and is built for watersports and bigger family days. An aluminum fishing boat is built around casting, livewells and rough water. Your dealer can help you weigh the tradeoffs.

Starcraft builds seven pontoon series. The GX and VX are our value lineups, the EX adds family comfort, and the EXS and SLS add HMX third tube performance. The RX and SX are our luxury performance pontoons, with the SX at the top of the line.

The SV OB is our most affordable deck boat, from 16’10” to 18’11”. The SV Jet adds jet drive power in 17’4″ and 19’4″ models. The SVX OB, SVX CC OB center console and SVX IO step up in size, seating up to 14, with outboard or sterndrive power. Every one has a fiberglass hull.

The GX series starts with the GX 16 R at $23,970 including a 40 hp motor. GX pontoons run from 16′ to 22’10”, with wraparound couches and rotomolded corners that shrug off dock bumps, making them an easy way to start boating.

The EXS, SLS, RX and SX come standard with the HMX third tube performance package, and HMX is available as an option on the GX, VX and EX. HMX adds lift, faster planing and sharper turns, and it lets you run bigger outboards for watersports.

It depends on the water and the crew. EX and EXS Fish pontoons pair lounge seating with two or four fishing chairs and a livewell. The SVX CC OB center console deck boat handles both fishing and watersports. For aluminum boats, the Superfisherman and Fishmaster have family seating built around serious fishing features.

Q has a multi position lounger that faces forward, back or lays flat. R has wraparound seating with flip seats. RL adds a split lounger and a galley with a sink. DL is a dual lounge rear, and DL Bar adds a 4 person bar that converts to a lounge. FD and FD4 are fishing layouts with two or four chairs, and DC means dual console.

No. Starcraft boats are sold only through authorized Starcraft dealers, so you have a local partner for sales, service and warranty support for as long as you own your boat. Use the dealer locator to find the dealer closest to you.

Starcraft jon boats start around $1,300, aluminum fishing boats start under $27,000, deck boats start at $31,560 and pontoons start at $23,970, with flagship SX pontoons above $170,000. Starting prices on each model page include a recommended engine where one is listed. Your dealer can build an exact quote.

Yes. Every series and model page has a Build Your Boat tool where you can choose a layout, colors and options, then send your build to a local dealer for pricing.

On every boat built after November 1, 1972, the hull identification number (HIN) is permanently attached to the upper right corner of the rear of the transom. You’ll need it for registration, warranty claims and ordering parts through your dealer.

You can download the owner’s manual from the Owner Resources page. For older boats, the catalog archive has past pontoon, deck boat and fishing boat brochures by year, going back decades.

Only a certified Starcraft dealer can make warranty decisions and perform warranty work, and parts, decals and canvas are ordered through your dealer too. Work done by anyone else can void your warranty, so start with your local dealer.