Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
MasterCraft 255V 2012 vs MasterCraft PS197 2013: Which Modified-V Boat Fits Your Needs?
Both the MasterCraft 255V 2012 and the MasterCraft PS197 2013 are modified-V designs, both built in fibreglass, so 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 255V 2012 measures 25,4 feet overall (2012), giving it roughly 5,8 additional feet of deck space compared to the MasterCraft PS197 2013 at 19,7 feet (2013). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the MasterCraft 255V 2012 tips the scales at 4 850 lbs - 1 550 lbs more than the MasterCraft PS197 2013 at 3 300 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 2012 is rated for 18 passengers, while the MasterCraft PS197 2013 caps at 7. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the MasterCraft 255V 2012 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the MasterCraft 255V 2012 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 PS197 2013 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 Year2012
Model Year2013
Measurements / Dimensions
Depth - Detail32 in. (0.8 m) transom 25 in. (0.64 m) amidship
Depth - Detailnot available
Depth - Centimeters81.28
Depth - Centimetersnot available
Depth - Inches32
Depth - Inchesnot available
Draft [max] - Detail32 in. (0.8 m)
Draft [max] - Detail22 in. (0.56 m)
Draft [max] - Meters0.81
Draft [max] - Meters0.56
Draft [max] - Inches32
Draft [max] - Inches22
Weight - Detail4,850 lbs. (2,200 kg)
Weight - Detail3,300 lbs. (1,497 kg)
Weight - kg2199.92
Weight - kg1496.85
Weight - lbs.4850
Weight - lbs.3300
Width [transom] - Detail102 in. (2.59 m) amidship
Width [transom] - Detail91 in. (2.3 m) amidship
Height [transom]110 in. (2.8 m) standard tower to lowest point on keel
Height [transom]not available
Length - Feet25.42
Length - Feet19.67
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 - Detail19 ft. 8 in. (5.99 m)
Length overall - Meters7.75
Length overall - Meters5.99
Length overall - Inches305
Length overall - Inches236
Height - Detailnot available
Height - Detail83 in. (2.1 m) mini tower 95 in. (2.4 m) standard tower to lowest point on keel
Height - Metersnot available
Height - Meters2.41
Height - Inchesnot available
Height - Inches95
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull typeModified Vee
Hull typeModified Vee
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine makeIlmor
Engine makeIlmor
Engine model6.0 l V-8, 382 hp (285 kW) 6.2 l V-8, 430 hp (321 kW) 7.4 l V-8, 523 hp (390 kW)
Engine modelSee Options
Fuel tank capacity - Detail90 gal. (341 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail29 gal. (109 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters340.69
Fuel tank capacity - Liters109.78
Fuel tank capacity - Gal90
Fuel tank capacity - Gal29
Drive typeInboard
Drive typeInboard
Operational Info
Maximum people18
Maximum people7
Maximum capacitynot available
Maximum capacity1,087 lbs. (493 kg)
Trailer Info
Trailer - Length over all31 ft. 2 in. (9.5 m)
Trailer - Length over allnot available
Trailer - Weight1,375 lbs. (624 kg)
Trailer - Weightnot available
Trailer - Width100 in. (2.54 m)
Trailer - Widthnot available