When a family-run company like Starcraft has been in business since 1903 - six years before the introduction of the Model T - you’d better believe they’ve learned a few things about giving customers what they want. The newest line in the Starcraft family is the Stardeck, a pontoon that’s designed to give boaters maximum value at an entry-level price.
Unique Factor
When a builder makes a value line of boats, often it’s done by stripping them of all luxury features and niceties, but the 8520 Stardeck still draws some favorable comparisons to Starcraft’s luxurious Majestic line with features such as recessed cupholders. The Stardeck even one-ups the Majestic line by tucking the speakers into the cupholder alcove as well, for better auditory enjoyment. Our test boat is equipped with the optional extra pair of speakers, which are powered by a surprisingly upscale JBL stereo that features an MP3 port. The fences are decked out in jet black, which is a color usually only found on higher-end boats, and instead of a being plain Jane, it’s splashed with tasteful graphics.
Performance
Although the 8520 is rated to handle up to 115 hp, our test boat is equipped for leisurely cruising with a Mercury Four Stroke 50 EFI on the 20-inch transom. The Stardeck has a nice fiberglass helm station that even has a freshwater spigot and sink built-in. Maybe the most upscale seat in the house belongs to the driver with a sport seat that is adjustable and has armrests for comfort. The Mercury Kiekhaefer throttle and shift is a blast from the past and is a bit incongruous since it has a push-key choke and idle lever — features that aren’t needed with an EFI model, which starts up quickly with no fiddling about needed other than turning the key.
Despite the modest power, the Mercury 50 EFI put us on plane in only 4 seconds and that was about all she had, yielding a top speed of 18 miles per hour. The tachometer could have been on the fritz, since we were only showing about 4200 rpm and the engine has a 5500 to 6000 rpm max operating range. A cruising speed of 12 mph was achieved at 3500 rpm, and at that speed the Mercury Four Stroke emitted only 76 decibels.
Handling
Buoyed by large 25-inch logs, instead of the 23-inchers you usually see on smaller pontoons, the Stardeck rode high in the water and handled the choppy (and cold) conditions very well on Lake Wawasee in Indiana. Our cable steering was pretty stiff as is common for new boats, but given the limited power you probably won’t be cranking it around hard for skiers or tubers. Trimming up the outboard created marginal bow lift, but it did make us a little less prone to stuffing when running into the waves. Hard turns required some muscle and as is typical with twin-log pontoons without lifting strakes, we leaned outward as we put it through its cornering paces.
Dillon Donnelly
Dillon Donnelly
Twin settees in the bow are perfect for leisurely cruising.
Best Uses
Our Stardeck 8520 is nicely set up for leisure cruising, and with a 24- gallon fuel tank, it’s got decent range. Those who love to recline while watching the scenery go by are in luck with a pair of chaise lounge settees in the bow and one in the L-lounge aft that all have the perfect amount of recline. For longevity, Starcraft uses rotocast seat frames and storage tubs. Other companies often try to save a few bucks and have seat bottoms with no hinges, requiring you to lift off the whole base to access storage, which means having to set down whatever you wanted to stow first. The Stardeck has piano hinges, which are usually only found on high-end models and open inward and stay open to make egress easy.
Bumping the power up to the maximum 115 gives you the flexibility to do lots of things such as ski or pull inflatables. It also allows owners to cover more distance for better exploration opportunities. The Stardeck 8520 invites you to dive in with a rear entry gate that leads to a stout aluminum dive ladder with large handrails. After taking a dip, changing out of a wet swimsuit isn’t a problem with a “telephone booth” changing station that pops up from the aft port-side lounge. This standard feature is another cost-cutting method for some brands.
Preferred Setup
It’s been our experience that few people complain about overpowering their boat, so unless you are certain you don’t want to go faster than 18 mph, we recommend going with the 115 hp option that’s well worth the reasonable $2,875 upcharge. If you choose more power, another worthwhile option is the sturdy ski tow bar that circles the outboard and provides a high tow point.
Our 8520 Cruise is the smaller of the two pontoons in the Stardeck fleet at 20 feet, 3 inches long (the other is 22 feet, 3 inches long), and both also come in a Fish Series that gives you a pair of fishing seats in the stern along with a bait prep station complete with rod holders. The fishing model still includes a cockpit L-lounge, but it’s abbreviated.
You get a standard 8-foot Bimini top and a cockpit table that can be installed fore or aft and with 11 cupholders, including the table’s, only one person has to hand-hold a beverage if you have the maximum of 12 guests aboard. The only other options needed to have a fully rigged outfit are a trailer and a cover.