First Take

Sleek and classy were the first two words that came to mind when we first stepped on board. This latest offering from Starcraft is designed to hit a specific price-point, yet still offer just the right amount of key features to get you out on the water with plenty to enjoy.

Kind Of A Big Deal

At first glance your eyes are immediately drawn to the large platform in the bow as well as the extended swim deck in the stern. Both ends of the boat include the Marine Mat non-skid flooring as well as a four-step boarding ladder with each hidden in their own specific compartments. We love the look of the standard Marine Mat flooring and especially love the upgraded option to include the non-skid snap-in flooring throughout the entire boat that ties in the look and gives the interior a consistent feel. The standard in-floor ski locker is also a nice added touch since you can never have too much storage on your boat.

The dual console version of this SVX includes a full wraparound windshield that connects the two consoles and helps add to its sporty look. For the captain, the dash console is centered on a multiple gauge panel, with well-labeled rocker switches and access to the Jensen stereo below. For the firstmate, there is a locking glove box which is ideal for storing those loose items such as keys and wallets while the boat is underway.

As part of the symmetrical look that includes bow seating with excellent handholds, both the captain and the first mate bucket chairs are identical and both slide, swivel and include a flip-up bolster. Moving back towards the stern there is a nice L-shaped seating area, but we also discovered something we’re not used to seeing on a 21-foot boat. There is a large sun pad above the engine compartment where one side can be ratcheted up to become a rear-facing backrest while at the sandbar as you relax on the extended deck.

Closer Look

The SVX rides on a dihedral V hull with a stern pad that offers superior performance and fuel economy by delivering water to the prop with less resistance. An integrated stringer system uses alternating layers of 24-ounce woven roving and 60 millimeters of fiberglass to fully encapsulate all stringers and components. Starcraft has been building quality boats for more than 60 years and regardless of the price, you can always count on the gel coat and overall fiberglass work to be outstanding.

Performance

Powered with a 250hp, 4.5L MerCruiser I/O engine, we just missed the 50 mph mark at full throttle after a nice and gradual zero-to-20-mph time of 5.8 seconds. She dives well in the tight corners as expected with the dihedral V hull and the overall handling was comfortable and responsive.

Final Thoughts

By taking less power with no options you could get this boat around the mid $60K price point, but we like the pairing with MerCruiser 4.5L engine and feel there is a ton of value with this boat. Models such as this one from Starcraft are a big reason the fiberglass boat market continues to grow in popularity as the Indiana-based manufacturer prides itself on offering budget-friendly offerings.