Some boats are fun to run; others excel at rest. Starcraft’s new 22-foot Aurora deck boat is equally impressive whether it’s moving or sitting still.
Drop the throttle and you’ll get plenty of eye-watering excitement. Our test boat, powered by a 5.7L Volvo, hit 47 mph with a standard aluminum prop. We suspect we could get a couple more mph out of the boat with a prop upgrade, but high 40s is plenty fast for a mid-size deck boat.
In addition to a strong top end, the Aurora cornered well, delivered plenty of out-of-the-hole performance and held speed in the often-difficult towing range of 18 to 20 mph. You could upgrade to a DuoProp drive for even more pulling power and low-speed planing control if wakeboarding will be a frequent activity, but we thought the boat towed — and ran — just fine for everyday applications.
The 2210 proved to be as accommodating at rest as it was thrilling at speed. The open floor plan allows for a wide walk-through and a generous bow lounge with an integrated cooler and stow-away pedestal table. Of particular note is the extra-large in-deck storage locker, which includes an optional “kiddie pool” section that can be flooded to provide youngsters with a shallow splash basin for cooling off.
A wide boarding step and a hide-away boarding ladder facilitate beach parties; the extended dash console opens to reveal a changing room that can also hold a portable toilet. The main cockpit features a wraparound lounge and removable ice chest, but it is the stern section that may become the boat’s primary focal point while at anchor.
Just ahead of the broad swim platform, Starcraft has built a wide bench seat into the transom, complete with molded drink holders and hide-away lockers for trash cans, fenders and accessories. Controls for the eight-speaker stereo system grace the rear-facing swim deck, as does a pair of built-in speakers.
The addition of this deck adds yet another dimension to the 2210, making it an ideal boat for everything from joy riding to wakeboarding to simply drifting in a quiet cove.
Stats
Length Overall: 21’7″ Beam: 8’6″ Dry Weight: 2,945 lb. Seating/Weight Capacity: 13/1,900 lb. Fuel Capacity: 52 gal. Max HP: 425 MSRP (test boat): $38,100
Test Drive
Test Engine: Volvo 5.7L GL Test Prop: 15 x 17, aluminum Test Load: People (400 lb.); Fuel (52 gal.) Top Speed: 47 MPH @ 5,000 RPM Time to Plane: 3.7 sec. Time to 30 MPH: 7.2 sec. Min Plane Speed: 19 MPH @ 2,400
Notable Features
Center windbreak turns deck boat into cool-weather cruiser.
Excellent bow and stern access.
Optional extended platform enhances utility of transom seat.
Transom shower helps keep sand and water out of cockpit.
Built-in fender compartments supplement in-deck storage lockers.
Passenger console contains large storage/changing locker.
Starcraft Marine – New Paris, Indiana; 574-831-2950; starcraftmarine.com
