Starcraft SVX 191 OB Review

Today’s boaters want all the bells and whistles, but they also want simpler boats that are easy to care for. That’s especially true for young parents, who put in long enough hours on the job and who want to spend those precious hours of leisure time enjoying the boat rather than cleaning it. Starcraft Boats gets that, and the evidence can be seen in their brilliant new Starcraft SVX 191 OB.

The SVX 191 OB is the mid-sized member of Starcraft’s all-new SVX series, which includes models from 17 to 23 feet. The 191 OB offers what might just be the perfect balance of size, seating capacity and ease of handling – three critical considerations for parents with young kids.

Starcraft’s new hull design provides more than a nice dry ride, it makes the SVX a good tow boat for water sports too, as evidenced by its standard retractable boarding ladder and ski tow pylon.

The Starcraft SVX 191 OB rides on an all-new dihedral hull with a flat running pad at the stern. Inspired by aircraft wings, the innovative hull design is the key to this boat’s sparkling performance and its smooth, stable ride in even choppy seas. That stern running pad lets the SVX 191 OB achieve eye-popping performance with comparatively small outboard engines that use far less fuel and require far less upkeep, while the entire hull layout gives the boat incredible interior space.

The main cockpit offers plenty of seating space and room for gear, with massive storage lockers located under every seat. At the end of the day, the hard-wearing fiberglass floor liner simply rinses clean with a garden hose for the ultimate in care-free boating.

The roomy interior comes from the brilliant integration of hot tub-style seating, with a near full-width bench across the stern, a long lounger along the port side and a swiveling Captain’s chair at the helm that can turn to face other occupants and join in the conversation once the boat is at rest. Just like in a hot tub – or your living room – you face one another in a comfortable, familiar way.

A small console on the port side houses a handy galley, complete with a with sink and a couple of cup holders. A stainless steel grab handle is a nice addition, which doubles as a great place to hang a towel. An optional hand-pump faucet and water tank to go with the sink are available as optional upgrades. There’s even an overhead Bimini top for when the mid-day sun gets to be a bit too much.

A small console with a sink, drink holders and a stainless steel grab handle is a nice touch, with a faucet and water system available as an optional upgrade.

Under the seats you’ll find some truly massive storage compartments that easily gobble up even the bulkiest gear. And if that’s not enough, look down and you’ll spot the big hatch in the floor, which opens to reveal even more storage space for water skis, wakeboards, coolers and other big, bulky items.

The cockpit floor is non-skid fiberglass, for easy end-of-day cleanups. It’s also self-draining, so a quick squirt from a garden hose to rinse out the beach sand is all that’s ever required at the end of the day.

It’s the driver who gets spoiled in this boat, with its contemporary helm design and premium appointments like a genuine Gussi steering wheel.

The driver gets spoiled in the Starcraft SVX 191 OB, with its neatly designed fiberglass helm console. The dash is neatly designed, with the essential instrumentation – speedometer, tachometer, fuel level and voltage – presented in a pair of multi-function gauges with attractive chrome bezels. An engine trim gauge is also standard, with space provided for additional instrumentation as desired. Want to add a touch-screen display? There’s room for that too. The meaty chrome-on-black Gussi steering wheel looks great and feels even better in the hand, while two neat rows of backlit toggle switches with circuit breakers take care of electrical components like navigation lights, cockpit courtesy lights, and any optional accessories. There’s also the control head for the standard Jensen AM/FM/Bluetooth stereo, which comes with four speakers.

The helm seat has a flip-up bolster for added comfort, while the helm console has yet still more storage space in its base. Quite honestly, for a 19-foot boat the amount of storage space in the Starcraft SVX 191 OB is simply tremendous, and speaks to the brand’s experience in building family boats.

Bow seating in the SVX 191 OB takes a cue from pontoon boats, with twin loungers that offer forward-facing, aft-facing or inward-facing views.

Bow seating in the Starcraft SVX 191 OB takes a cue from pontoon boats, with twin loungers that offer forward-facing, aft-facing or inward-facing seating with even more storage space in their bases. Thoughtfully-placed, stainless steel grab handles provide additional security for forward seat occupants when underway, while plenty of drink holders and a pair of stereo speakers ensure a good time will be had by all.

Every boat needs a built-in cooler, and the SVX 191 OB is no exception. This one is conveniently located in the bow.

Also taking a cue from pontoon boats, the SVX 191 OB comes with both bow and stern swim platforms – each decked with EVA soft-touch Traction Mat flooring that provides extra traction for wet feet. Both bow and stern platforms also feature stainless steel retractable boarding ladders.

The sharp-eyed will notice the step leading up to the bow platform has a lid – open it to reveal a large insulated built-in cooler, ensuring a cold pop or water is always close at hand.

Although rated for outboards of up to 150 hp, the SVX 191 OB runs like a champ with a lightweight 115 to keep costs down and deliver amazing fuel economy.

The Starcraft SVX 191 OB is rated to accept outboards of up to 150 horsepower, which will push this boat to well over 45 mph. Best of all, that stellar performance comes combined with terrific fuel economy. But thanks to its high-efficiency hull, this boat runs like a champion with a 115 horsepower engine, allowing buyers to keep costs down and enjoy even greater fuel economy.

Looking for a great family boat that you don’t have to break your back looking after? The Starcraft SVX 191 OB is very easy to like, and very easy to afford.