Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
MasterCraft Maristar 230 VRS 2005 vs MasterCraft X-15 2012 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The MasterCraft Maristar 230 VRS 2005 vs MasterCraft X-15 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.
On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — MasterCraft Maristar 230 VRS 2005 at 22,0 ft versus MasterCraft X-15 2012 at 21,7 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the MasterCraft X-15 2012 tips the scales at 3 575 lbs — 3 542 lbs less than the MasterCraft Maristar 230 VRS 2005 at 33 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 X-15 2012 is rated for 14 passengers, while the MasterCraft Maristar 230 VRS 2005 caps at 12. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the MasterCraft X-15 2012 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the MasterCraft X-15 2012 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 14 passengers and at 21,7 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The MasterCraft Maristar 230 VRS 2005 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 12 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
MakeMasterCraft
MakeMasterCraft
ModelMaristar 230 VRS
ModelX-15
Model Year2005
Model Year2012
Measurements / Dimensions
Depth - DetailTransom: 27.5 in. (.70 m) Amidship: 26.5 in. (.67 m)
Depth - Detail28 in. (0.71 m) transom 32 in. (0.81 m) amidship
Depth - Centimeters71.12
Depth - Centimeters81.28
Depth - Inches27.5
Depth - Inches32
Draft [max] - Detail22.5 in. (.57 m)
Draft [max] - Detail26.5 in. (0.67 m)
Draft [max] - Meters0.58
Draft [max] - Meters0.69
Draft [max] - Inches22.5
Draft [max] - Inches26.5
Weight - Detail3,300 lbs. (1,496.88 kg)
Weight - Detail3,575 lbs. (1,622 kg)
Weight - kg1496.85
Weight - kg1621.59
Weight - lbs.33
Weight - lbs.3575
Width [transom] - DetailWidth amidship: 98 in. (2.49 m)
Width [transom] - Detail100 in. (2.54 m) amidship
Length - Meters6.91
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Feet22
Length - Feet21.67
Length - Inches8
Length - Inchesnot available
Length [over all with swim platform]21 ft. (6.53 m)
Length [over all with swim platform]23 ft. 9 in. (7.24 m)
Length overall - Detail22 ft. 8 in. (6.91 m)
Length overall - Detail21 ft. 8 in. (6.6 m)
Length overall - Meters6.91
Length overall - Meters6.6
Length overall - Inches272
Length overall - Inches26
Height - Detailnot available
Height - Detail107 in. (2.72 m) standard tower to lowest point on keel
Height - Metersnot available
Height - Meters2.72
Height - Inchesnot available
Height - Inches107
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail61 gal. (230.89 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail45 gal. (170 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters230.91
Fuel tank capacity - Liters170.34
Fuel tank capacity - Gal61
Fuel tank capacity - Gal45
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 capacity1,840 lbs (835 kg)
Maximum capacity2,325 lbs. (1,055 kg)
Maximum people12
Maximum people14
Trailer Info
Trailer - Length over all24 ft. 7 in. (7.49 m) W/Pivot Tongue Folded: 23 ft. (7.01 m)
Trailer - Length over all24 ft. 4 in. (7.42 m) 22 ft. 2 in. (6.8 m) swing away tongue
Trailer - Width99 in. (2.51 m)
Trailer - Width100 in. (2.54 m)
Trailer - Weightnot available
Trailer - Weight1,100 lbs. (499 kg)
Body / Hull
Hull materialnot available
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull typenot available
Hull typeModified Vee