Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
MasterCraft 255V 2011 vs MasterCraft Maristar 280 VLD 2005: Same Brand, Different Boat
The MasterCraft 255V 2011 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 2011 at 25,4 ft versus MasterCraft Maristar 280 VLD 2005 at 28,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the MasterCraft Maristar 280 VLD 2005 tips the scales at 5 200 lbs - 350 lbs less than the MasterCraft 255V 2011 at 4 850 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 2011 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 2011 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the MasterCraft 255V 2011 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 Year2011
Model Year2005
Measurements / Dimensions
Depth - Detail32 in. (0.8 m) transom 25 in. (0.64 m) amidship
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. (0.8 m)
Draft [max] - Detail29 in. (.74 m)
Draft [max] - Meters0.81
Draft [max] - Meters0.74
Draft [max] - Inches32
Draft [max] - Inches29
Weight - Detail4,850 lbs. (2,200 kg)
Weight - Detail5,200 lbs. (2,358.68 kg)
Weight - kg2199.92
Weight - kg2358.68
Weight - lbs.4850
Weight - lbs.5200
Width [transom] - Detail102 in. (2.59 m) amidship
Width [transom] - DetailWidth amidship: 9 ft. 6 in. (2.90 m)
Height [transom]110 in. (2.8 m) standard tower to lowest point on keel
Height [transom]not available
Length - Feet25.42
Length - Feet28
Length [over all with swim platform]27 ft. 8 in. (8.43 m)
Length [over all with swim platform]not available
Length overall - Detail25 ft. 5 in. (7.75 m)
Length overall - Detail28 ft. 3 in. (8.53 m)
Length overall - Meters7.75
Length overall - Meters8.61
Length overall - Inches305
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
Engine makeIndmar, Ilmore
Engine makenot available
Engine modelIndmar: MCX 5.7 l 350 CID V-8, 312 hp (230 kW) Indmar: L96 6.0 l V-8, 386 hp (284 kW) Indmar: LSA 6.2 l V-8, 537 hp (395 kW) Ilmore: 5.7 l V-8, 325 hp (239 kW) Ilmore: 6.0 l V-8, 386 hp (284 kW) Ilmore: 6.2 l V-8, 436 hp (321 kW)
Engine modelnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Detail90 gal. (341 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail88 gal. (333.12 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters340.69
Fuel tank capacity - Liters333.12
Fuel tank capacity - Gal90
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. (9.5 m)
Trailer - Length over all34 ft. 3 in. (10.44 m)
Trailer - Weight1,375 lbs. (624 kg)
Trailer - Weightnot available
Trailer - Width100 in. (2.54 m)
Trailer - Widthnot available