If you’ve spent any time looking at boats, you’ve probably come across the Starcraft name. We’ve been around a while — since 1903, in fact — and over those 120-plus years we’ve built a lot of boats for a lot of different people. Anglers chasing walleye at first light. Families pulling kids on tubes. Couples cruising the lake on a Sunday evening with nowhere to be.

That’s the thing about Starcraft. We don’t build one type of boat for one type of buyer. We build across three segments — pontoons, fiberglass deck boats, and aluminum fishing boats — because the people who love being on the water aren’t all chasing the same experience. This post walks through who we are, what we make, and the questions we hear most often from people considering a Starcraft.

Who owns Starcraft Boats?

Starcraft is part of Smoker Craft Inc., a family-owned and operated company headquartered in New Paris, Indiana. Smoker Craft has been in the same family for generations and has been building boats since 1903. That continuity matters. When the same family has been making boats for over a century, decisions get made with the long view in mind — the kind of decisions that show up in build quality, dealer relationships, and how the company stands behind its products.

We’re not owned by a private equity firm or a multinational conglomerate. We’re a Hoosier company, and we build boats in Indiana, the same way we have for decades.

What kinds of boats does Starcraft make?

Starcraft builds three distinct categories of boats, and each one is designed for a different style of time on the water:

Pontoons. Starcraft pontoons are built for families who want space, comfort, and versatility. Whether you’re hosting a dozen friends for a sunset cruise or anchoring out for a swim, our pontoons are designed to handle the day.

Fiberglass deck boats. Our fiberglass lineup brings sporty performance and a smooth ride together with the open layout people love about deck boats. Great for watersports, great for cruising, great for families that want a little more get-up-and-go.

Aluminum fishing boats. This is where Starcraft has deep roots. We build both welded and riveted aluminum fishing boats, depending on the model, and our fishing lineup covers everything from tiller-driven utility boats to fully rigged tournament-ready rigs.

Three segments. One company. That means whether you’re a first-time buyer or someone trading up after thirty years on the water, there’s a Starcraft built for the way you fish, cruise, or play.

Are Starcraft boats good quality?

Quality is one of those words that gets thrown around a lot in boat marketing, so let’s be specific about what we mean.

Starcraft boats are built in a vertically integrated manufacturing facility. That means we control more of the process under one roof than most boat builders do. From aluminum welding to upholstery to final assembly, our team has hands on the boat at every stage. When something can be improved, we improve it directly — not by routing a request through a third-party supplier and hoping it gets done.

That kind of control shows up in the finished product. Tight tolerances. Consistent welds. Components that fit the way they’re supposed to fit. It’s also why we can stand behind our boats the way we do.

Where are Starcraft boats made?

Every Starcraft boat is built in the United States, at our manufacturing facility in New Paris, Indiana. Indiana has a long history of boat building, and Smoker Craft Inc. is one of the names that helped build that reputation.

Buying American-made matters to a lot of our customers, and we’re proud to keep our manufacturing here.

What’s the difference between welded and riveted aluminum fishing boats?

This question comes up a lot from anglers comparing models. Both construction methods have real advantages, and Starcraft builds both because different anglers want different things.

Riveted aluminum boats use rivets to fasten the hull plates together. They tend to be lighter and have a little more flex in the hull, which some anglers prefer for a softer ride and easier towing behind smaller vehicles.

Welded aluminum boats use continuous welds instead of rivets, creating a one-piece hull. They’re typically more rigid, which translates to a different feel on the water and a hull built to take a beating in rougher conditions.

Neither is “better” in the abstract — it depends on how and where you fish. Talk to your local Starcraft dealer about which construction style fits your water and your style.

Does Starcraft make fiberglass or aluminum deck boats?

Starcraft’s deck boats are fiberglass. If you’re looking at the Starcraft deck boat lineup, you’re looking at fiberglass construction with all the performance and styling benefits that come with it. Our aluminum lineup is dedicated to fishing boats.

How long do Starcraft boats last?

A well-maintained Starcraft boat can give you decades of use. We regularly hear from customers fishing out of Starcraft boats that are twenty, thirty, even forty years old. Longevity comes down to three things: how the boat is built, how it’s stored, and how it’s maintained. We handle the first one. Our dealers and owners handle the other two — and we publish maintenance guidance to help with both.

Who is the right buyer for a Starcraft?

That’s part of why we built our lineup the way we did. There isn’t one Starcraft customer.

If you’re a serious angler who wants a tournament-ready aluminum rig, there’s a Starcraft for you. If you’re a young family looking for a versatile pontoon that grows with the kids, there’s a Starcraft for you. If you’re a couple who wants a sporty fiberglass deck boat for weekend cruising and the occasional ski session, there’s a Starcraft for you too.

The common thread isn’t the type of boat — it’s the kind of company building it. People who choose Starcraft tend to value American manufacturing, family ownership, and a builder that’s still going to be here in twenty years to stand behind what they sold you.

Where can I see Starcraft boats in person?

The best way to experience a Starcraft is to step on one. Our dealer network spans the U.S. and Canada, and most dealers carry boats across our pontoon, fiberglass, and aluminum fishing lineups. Head to starcraftmarine.com to find a dealer near you, browse current models, and learn more about everything we build.

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Starcraft has been part of Smoker Craft Inc.’s family of boat brands since the company began in 1903. Built in Indiana. Made for the water.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Starcraft a family-owned company? Yes. Starcraft is part of Smoker Craft Inc., a family-owned and operated boat manufacturer that has been in the same family since 1903.

Where are Starcraft boats manufactured? Starcraft boats are built in New Paris, Indiana, at Smoker Craft Inc.’s vertically integrated manufacturing facility.

What types of boats does Starcraft make? Starcraft builds three segments of boats: pontoons, fiberglass deck boats, and aluminum fishing boats (in both welded and riveted construction depending on the model).

Are Starcraft fishing boats welded or riveted? Both. Depending on the specific model, Starcraft aluminum fishing boats are built using either welded or riveted construction.

Are Starcraft deck boats made of aluminum? No. Starcraft deck boats are fiberglass. Aluminum construction is reserved for our fishing boat lineup.

How old is Starcraft? The company has been building boats since 1903 — over 120 years.

Where can I find a Starcraft dealer? Visit starcraftmarine.com to locate an authorized Starcraft dealer near you.