Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
MasterCraft 200 VRS 2008 vs MasterCraft Maristar 280 VLD 2005 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The MasterCraft 200 VRS 2008 vs MasterCraft Maristar 280 VLD 2005 comparison sits squarely in the category of decisions where specs alone won't tell the whole story — intended use, storage, and long-term ownership costs all factor in.
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The MasterCraft Maristar 280 VLD 2005 measures 28,0 feet overall (2005), giving it roughly 26,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the MasterCraft 200 VRS 2008 at 2,0 feet (2008). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the MasterCraft 200 VRS 2008 tips the scales at 335 lbs — 283 lbs more than the MasterCraft Maristar 280 VLD 2005 at 52 lbs. That difference is meaningful if you're working within a half-ton or three-quarter-ton truck's tow rating, especially once you factor in a motor, gear, and fuel.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The MasterCraft Maristar 280 VLD 2005 is rated for 15 passengers, while the MasterCraft 200 VRS 2008 caps at 11. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the MasterCraft Maristar 280 VLD 2005 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the MasterCraft Maristar 280 VLD 2005 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 15 passengers and at 28,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The MasterCraft 200 VRS 2008 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 11 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
MakeMasterCraft
MakeMasterCraft
Model200 VRS
ModelMaristar 280 VLD
Model Year2008
Model Year2005
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam96 in
Beamnot available
Beam - Meters2.44
Beam - Metersnot available
Beam - Inches96
Beam - Inchesnot available
Depth - DetailTransom: 27.5 in. Amidship: 26.5 in
Depth - DetailTransom: 34 in. (.86 m) Amidship: 37 in. (.94 m)
Depth - Centimeters71.12
Depth - Centimeters93.98
Depth - Inches27.5
Depth - Inches37
Draft [max] - Detail27 in
Draft [max] - Detail29 in. (.74 m)
Draft [max] - Meters0.69
Draft [max] - Meters0.74
Draft [max] - Inches27
Draft [max] - Inches29
Weight - Detail3,350 lbs
Weight - Detail5,200 lbs. (2,358.68 kg)
Weight - kg1519.53
Weight - kg2358.68
Weight - lbs.335
Weight - lbs.52
Length - Feet2
Length - Feet28
Length [over all with swim platform]22 ft. 1 in
Length [over all with swim platform]not available
Length overall - Detail20 ft. 0 in
Length overall - Detail28 ft. 3 in. (8.53 m)
Length overall - Meters6.1
Length overall - Meters8.61
Length overall - Inches24
Length overall - Inches339
Width [transom] - Detailnot available
Width [transom] - DetailWidth amidship: 9 ft. 6 in. (2.90 m)
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Meters8.53
Length - Inchesnot available
Length - Inches3
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialnot available
Hull typeModified Vee
Hull typenot available
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail45 gal
Fuel tank capacity - Detail88 gal. (333.12 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters170.34
Fuel tank capacity - Liters333.12
Fuel tank capacity - Gal45
Fuel tank capacity - Gal88
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typenot available
Drive typeI/O
Drive typeInboard
Operational Info
Maximum capacity1,609 lbs
Maximum capacity2,300 lbs (1,043 kg)
Maximum people11
Maximum people15
Trailer Info
Trailer - Length over all22 ft. 6 in. w/ Swing Away Tongue Folded: 20 ft. 9 in
Trailer - Length over all34 ft. 3 in. (10.44 m)
Trailer - WeightSingle-axle: 935 lbs. Tandem-axle: 1,100 lbs
Trailer - Weightnot available
Trailer - WidthSingle-axle: 99 in. Tandem-axle: 100 in
Trailer - Widthnot available