The Boat Locker Edition Starcraft Marine Boats

Join Our Mailing List

[ 2008 Starfire 1600SC ] [ 2008 Starcaster 1789 ] [ 2008 Starcaster 178 ] [ 2008 Starcaster 179 Pro V ] [ 143 Deluxe Aluminum Fish ] [ Pro 754 Bass ] [ 1754 Fishing Boat ] [ 2080 Expedition ]

The Boat Locker is proud to be a dealer for Starcraft Marine, a manufacturer of a complete line of aluminum fishing boats and fiberglass deckboats. Why Buy A Starcraft? It's simple, really. With more than 100 years on the water, Starcraft has the experience to bring you the best boats in the industry. Whether you're looking for a serious fishing boat or a sporty deckboat , you'll find it right here - in a Starcraft boat that's versatile, affordable, stylish, and safety-minded. Heritage In Motion. HERITAGE. It's more than 104 years of building great boats and pioneering a recreational lifestyle. It's about being there for generations of Starcraft owners - and being there for generations to come. Whether it's warranties, service or trade-in, you can trust Starcraft to give you more for your investment. No other manufacturer is as responsive to our customers as Starcraft. Yes, we have the right boat with the right features at the right price for every family. Whether powered by a Honda 4-Stroke Outboard, a Mercury OB, The Boat Locker can fit your needs for a safe and fun experience!!

WHAT BOATING LIFE SAYS OF THE 2008 RELEASE OF THE STARCASTER SERIES:

What we think: Up until now about all that was missing from Starcraft's line of affordable aluminum boats was a bass boat. That has been remedied for 2008 with the introduction of three new 17-foot models. The new Starcaster series features the entry-level 1789, midrange 178 and top-end 179 Pro V, the only welded boats in Starcraft's aluminum line.

Of all the things Starcraft does, building aluminum boats is probably the company's forte. The engineers and quality-control guys spend lots of time on Lake Erie and Lake Michigan, both of which can be gnarly. So the boats reflect a ruggedness, all the way down to the smaller models. We tested the 178 and think it will be a hit not only with bass fishermen but muskie and crappie fishermen as well because of the way it's designed for changing conditions.

Built into the port wall is a bracket for three rods, but each slot could easily hold another rod. Muskie anglers will like the 50-inch livewell — big for a 17-foot boat — and crappie anglers will like side-by-side mounts for twin pedestal seats in the bow, great for fan-mounted casting rod setups.

We like the high-mounted, in-your-face gauges on the roto-molded console, and the bench seat in the bow provides a firm yet comfortable ride. Just don't be in a hurry. As equipped with a Mercury 2-stroke outboard, our test boat topped out at 32 mph. On the flip side, we slipped under footbridges and through narrow channels to explore some very skinny water that was inaccessible to other boats in our test fleet.

Who should buy it: Bass and crappie anglers who don't need all the bells and whistles, nor the hefty price tag, found on high-end fiberglass boats.