Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
MasterCraft 245 SS 2006 vs MasterCraft PS197 2012 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The MasterCraft 245 SS 2006 vs MasterCraft PS197 2012 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 245 SS 2006 measures 24,0 feet overall (2006), giving it roughly 4,3 additional feet of deck space compared to the MasterCraft PS197 2012 at 19,7 feet (2012). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the MasterCraft 245 SS 2006 tips the scales at 473 lbs — 445 lbs more than the MasterCraft PS197 2012 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 245 SS 2006 is rated for 18 passengers, while the MasterCraft PS197 2012 caps at 7. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the MasterCraft 245 SS 2006 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the MasterCraft 245 SS 2006 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 18 passengers and at 24,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The MasterCraft PS197 2012 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 7 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
MakeMasterCraft
MakeMasterCraft
Model Year2006
Model Year2012
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam102 in
Beamnot available
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Metersnot available
Beam - Inches102
Beam - Inchesnot available
Depth - DetailTransom: 28 in. Amidship: 19 in
Depth - Detail20 in. (0.5 m) transom 22.5 in. (0.57 m) amidship
Depth - Centimeters71.12
Depth - Centimeters58.42
Depth - Inches28
Depth - Inches22.5
Draft [max] - Detail28 in
Draft [max] - Detail22 in. (0.56 m)
Draft [max] - Meters0.71
Draft [max] - Meters0.56
Draft [max] - Inches28
Draft [max] - Inches22
Weight - Detail4,730 lbs
Weight - Detail2,800 lbs. (1,270 kg)
Weight - kg2145.49
Weight - kg1270.06
Weight - lbs.473
Weight - lbs.28
Length - Feet24
Length - Feet19.67
Length - Inches2
Length - Inchesnot available
Length [over all with swim platform]26 ft. 3 in
Length [over all with swim platform]21 ft. 6 in. (6.6 m)
Length overall - Detail24 ft. 2 in
Length overall - Detail19 ft. 8 in. (6 m)
Length overall - Meters7.37
Length overall - Meters5.99
Length overall - Inches29
Length overall - Inches236
Width [transom] - Detailnot available
Width [transom] - Detail91 in. (2.3 m) amidship
Height - Detailnot available
Height - Detail83 in. (2.1 m) mini tower 95 in. (2.4 m) standard tower to lowest point on keel 29 in. (0.7 m) tow bar height to waterline
Height - Metersnot available
Height - Meters2.41
Height - Inchesnot available
Height - Inches95
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail90 gal
Fuel tank capacity - Detail28 gal. (106 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters340.69
Fuel tank capacity - Liters105.99
Fuel tank capacity - Gal9
Fuel tank capacity - Gal28
Drive typeInboard
Drive typeInboard
Engine makenot available
Engine makeIlmor
Engine modelnot available
Engine model5.7 l V-8, 320 hp (239 kW) 6.0 l V-8, 382 hp (285 kW)
Fuel typenot available
Fuel typeGas
Operational Info
Maximum capacity2,928 lbs
Maximum capacity1,087 lbs. (493 kg)
Maximum people18
Maximum people7
Trailer Info
Trailer - Length over allw/ Swing Away Tongue Folded: 24 ft. 3 in
Trailer - Length over all22 ft. 5 in. (6.8 m) 20 ft. 7 in. (6.27 m) swing away tongue
Trailer - WeightTandem-axle: 1,480 lbs
Trailer - Weight860 lbs. (390 kg) single axle 1,040 lbs. (472 kg) tandem axle
Trailer - WidthTandem-axle: 100 in
Trailer - Width99 in. (2.5 m) single axle 100 in. (2.54 m) tandem axle
Body / Hull
Hull materialnot available
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull typenot available
Hull typeModified Vee