Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
MasterCraft 255V 2010 vs MasterCraft Maristar 280 VLD 2005 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The MasterCraft 255V 2010 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.
On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — MasterCraft 255V 2010 at 25,4 ft versus MasterCraft Maristar 280 VLD 2005 at 28,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the MasterCraft 255V 2010 tips the scales at 485 lbs — 433 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 255V 2010 is rated for 18 passengers, while the MasterCraft Maristar 280 VLD 2005 caps at 15. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the MasterCraft 255V 2010 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the MasterCraft 255V 2010 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 18 passengers and at 25,4 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The MasterCraft Maristar 280 VLD 2005 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 15 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
MakeMasterCraft
MakeMasterCraft
Model255V
ModelMaristar 280 VLD
Model Year201
Model Year2005
Measurements / Dimensions
Depth - DetailTransom: 32 in. Amidship: 25 in
Depth - DetailTransom: 34 in. (.86 m) Amidship: 37 in. (.94 m)
Depth - Centimeters81.28
Depth - Centimeters93.98
Depth - Inches32
Depth - Inches37
Draft [max] - Detail32 in
Draft [max] - Detail29 in. (.74 m)
Draft [max] - Meters0.81
Draft [max] - Meters0.74
Draft [max] - Inches32
Draft [max] - Inches29
Weight - Detail4,850 lbs
Weight - Detail5,200 lbs. (2,358.68 kg)
Weight - kg2199.92
Weight - kg2358.68
Weight - lbs.485
Weight - lbs.52
Width [transom] - DetailAmidship: 102 in
Width [transom] - DetailWidth amidship: 9 ft. 6 in. (2.90 m)
Length - Feet25.42
Length - Feet28
Length [over all with swim platform]27 ft. 8 in
Length [over all with swim platform]not available
Length overall - Detail25.42 ft
Length overall - Detail28 ft. 3 in. (8.53 m)
Length overall - Meters7.75
Length overall - Meters8.61
Length overall - Inches305.04
Length overall - Inches339
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 - Detail90 gal
Fuel tank capacity - Detail88 gal. (333.12 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters340.69
Fuel tank capacity - Liters333.12
Fuel tank capacity - Gal9
Fuel tank capacity - Gal88
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typenot available
Drive typeInboard
Drive typeInboard
Operational Info
Maximum people18
Maximum people15
Maximum capacitynot available
Maximum capacity2,300 lbs (1,043 kg)
Trailer Info
Trailer - Length over all31 ft. 2 in
Trailer - Length over all34 ft. 3 in. (10.44 m)
Trailer - WeightTandem-axle: 1,375 lbs
Trailer - Weightnot available