When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the MasterCraft 200V 2012 and the MasterCraft PS197 2011 are modified vee designs with fiberglass construction — the buying decision usually comes down to a handful of practical questions: how many people are you putting on the water, how far do you trailer, and what does your tow vehicle weigh?

Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The MasterCraft PS197 2011 measures 19,7 feet overall (2011), giving it roughly 17,7 additional feet of deck space compared to the MasterCraft 200V 2012 at 2,0 feet (2012). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the MasterCraft 200V 2012 tips the scales at 335 lbs — 307 lbs more than the MasterCraft PS197 2011 at 28 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 200V 2012 is rated for 11 passengers, while the MasterCraft PS197 2011 caps at 7. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the MasterCraft 200V 2012 could be the deciding factor.