Starcraft SV 16 OB
Starcraft’s all-new SV 16 combines solid comfort and amenities with a family-friendly price tag.
By Craig Ritchie
Photos by Starcraft Marine
Building great boats has always come down to a mix of art and science, and that’s particularly true when it comes to meeting the biggest challenge of all—creating an appealing yet affordable family runabout.
Buyers want a boat that is affordable but not stripped to the bare bones.
Enter Starcraft and its delightful SV 16 OB, an all-new-for-2025 family deck boat that elegantly balances comfort, amenities and affordability.
The SV 16 takes advantage of some innovative, high-tech engineering to keep costs down. It all starts with the boat’s new fibreglass hull, which debuts on this model and which the company says will form the basis for its future deck boat designs.
The SV 16 rides on a modified V-hull with a unique running surface that tweaks the configuration of the chines and deadrise to provide optimal performance when powered by smaller engines. This is key, because going to a smaller engine cuts the boat’s price and also lowers long-term operating costs by reducing fuel burn.
The SV 16’s hull maintains a full beam for virtually its entire length. This not only enlarges the hull’s running surface for pleasing hole shots and planing performance but delivers more interior space. It’s a subtle but noticeable difference that makes an outsized contribution to everyday comfort and convenience.
At just 5.08m in length and 816.4kg, the SV 16 still comfortably seats six people with room to stretch out and enjoy the summer sun. Starcraft has been building family boats for a long time—since 1903, in fact—and knows how to use every available space to full advantage.
Get Comfy
The easiest place to step aboard is at the stern via the SV 16’s bi-level swim platform. These platforms accommodate a retractable, 4-step, stainless steel boarding ladder to starboard and a useful storage locker to port. The upper tier provides full-beam access and a convenient seating surface. Integrated drink holders make the stern a useful place, particularly when drying off between swims.
In the cockpit is a 3-across split bench. Give it a try and the boat’s generous interior depth immediately becomes apparent. Designed and built with young families in mind, the SV 16’s ample freeboard provides a comforting level of safety and security and the dry ride it helps provide.
Twin forward-facing lounge seats in the bow, with full height coaming, offer more comfy nesting perches. Optional grab rails provide a further measure of security for riders seated up front and more drink holders assure refreshments are never out of reach. A removable back rest cushion on the port-side seat provides added seating versatility.
The upholstery on the SV 16 deserves special mention. This is supposed to be a value boat, but the seat cushions deliver an ideal balance between cushy comfort and firm support and the vinyl upholstery is buttery soft to the touch. The stitch work is first class—there were no corners cut here.
Beneath the lovely upholstery are multiple cavernous storage lockers for gear. You will find plenty of room to stow even bulky items with ease.
Starcraft didn’t exactly scrimp on the SV 16’s audio system either. The Wet Sounds MC5 stereo with Bluetooth streaming is a standard feature on the SV 16. That was a very pleasant surprise, and one which speaks to the SV 16’s design principle that a lower cost doesn’t mean stripped to the bones.
Up front, a raised step provides direct access to the SV 16’s standard bow swim platform that is perfect for doing cannonballs or for boarding from the dock or from a beach.
Like the 2-tiered stern swim platform, the bow deck has EvA soft-touch traction mat decking. Also, like the stern platform, it makes a pretty good casting deck that will be appreciated by the anglers in the family.
Captain’s choice
While the SV 16 is a comfortable ride for passengers, it’s the captain who really gets spoiled. The tilt steering comes standard with a soft-touch Gussi sport steering wheel. Visibility from the helm is terrific, with the acrylic windscreen positioned just right.
Atop the helm console are a pair of multi-function gauges with elegant chrome bezels providing a speedometer, tach, fuel gauge and voltmeter. Backlit, waterproof rocker switches to the right side of the console controls lights, bilge pump and other electrical accessories. The stereo is positioned left of the wheel, where it is more easily accessed by passengers.
Available helm upgrades including a trim gauge and a digital depth finder, allow buyers to equip the SV 16 exactly as they wish. Among the tempting upgrades are a Bimini sun top, a snap-on cockpit cover, docking lights, a cockpit table on a pedestal base, ski pylon, ski tow rack and Starcraft’s appropriately named Fun Package, consisting of the ski tow, bow rails, a plug-in bow lounge and two additional stereo speakers.
The real reward for the driver, however—and for everyone aboard—comes when it’s time to apply some throttle.
Our SV 16 had a Yamaha F60 four-stroke outboard. Weighing just 112kg, the four-cylinder 60hp F60 makes a great match for the SV 16, even though the hull is rated to take engines up to 90hp.
With two chunky guys aboard on a particularly hot and humid August morning, the little F60 would have its work cut out for it. The thick hazy air and glass-flat water were not ideal conditions for wringing out maximum performance. That the boat drove so well on such a sweaty day is testament to the efficiency of Starcraft’s new hull design.
The SV 16 and F60 combo planed smartly with neutral trim. Mid-range acceleration was pleasing and at full throttle the boat was very quickly pushing my GPS past 30mph/26 knots; respectable performance for a family runabout and particularly given the smaller engine that’s best known for sipping fuel.
The real joy in Starcraft’s new hull design comes when simply running the boat normally. The SV 16 turns easily, handles beautifully, and quickly inspires real confidence at the wheel. Even a few minutes of intentionally poor driving, including some overly sharp turns at speed, failed to reveal any bad manners. The boat simply goes where you point it, making it especially approachable and enjoyable to drive.
It’s a sharp looking boat, too.
So, the final verdict? Starcraft’s SV 16 is a gem. Anyone looking for a great family runabout—at great value—will find the SV 16 a comfortable, versatile, and well-made deck boat that’s sure to please the entire family.
Starcraft SV 16 OB
Length: 16’ 8” / 5.08m
Beam: 7’ 11” / 2.41m
Dry weight: 1,800lbs / 816.4kg
Fuel capacity: 17.96gal / 68L
Passenger capacity: 6
Maximum power: 90hp
Price: CAD $52,357 (w/60hp motor & trailer)
*Price is estimate only and is subject to change
Performance data (with 60hp motor):
| RPM | MPH | KNOTS | RANGE (Miles) |
| 1500 | 5.1 | 4.4 | 145.7143 |
| 2000 | 6.1 | 5.3 | 109.8 |
| 2500 | 7 | 6.08 | 103.2787 |
| 3000 | 8 | 6.95 | 94.11765 |
| 3500 | 9 | 7.8 | 71.36564 |
| 4000 | 15 | 13.03 | 91.21622 |
| 4500 | 17 | 14.77 | 89.73607 |
| 5000 | 23 | 19.99 | 112.8065 |
| 5500 | 26 | 4.33 | 108.0831 |
| 6000 | 29 | 5.57 | 93.71634 |
*Performance data provided by Starcraft Marine
