Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
MasterCraft Maristar 280 VLD 2005 vs MasterCraft PS190 2011: Same Brand, Different Boat
The MasterCraft Maristar 280 VLD 2005 vs MasterCraft PS190 2011 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 Maristar 280 VLD 2005 measures 28,0 feet overall (2005), giving it roughly 8,3 additional feet of deck space compared to the MasterCraft PS190 2011 at 19,7 feet (2011). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the MasterCraft Maristar 280 VLD 2005 tips the scales at 5 200 lbs - 2 580 lbs more than the MasterCraft PS190 2011 at 2 620 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 Maristar 280 VLD 2005 is rated for 15 passengers, while the MasterCraft PS190 2011 caps at 7. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the MasterCraft Maristar 280 VLD 2005 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the MasterCraft Maristar 280 VLD 2005 if your priority is putting more people on the water - it handles 15 passengers and at 28,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The MasterCraft PS190 2011 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
ModelMaristar 280 VLD
ModelPS190
Model Year2005
Model Year2011
Measurements / Dimensions
Depth - DetailTransom: 34 in. (.86 m) Amidship: 37 in. (.94 m)
Depth - Detail20 in. (0.5 m) transom 22.5 in. (0.57 m) amidship
Depth - Centimeters93.98
Depth - Centimeters58.42
Depth - Inches37
Depth - Inches22.5
Draft [max] - Detail29 in. (.74 m)
Draft [max] - Detail22 in. (0.56 m)
Draft [max] - Meters0.74
Draft [max] - Meters0.56
Draft [max] - Inches29
Draft [max] - Inches22
Weight - Detail5,200 lbs. (2,358.68 kg)
Weight - Detail2,620 lbs. (1,188 kg)
Weight - kg2358.68
Weight - kg1188.41
Weight - lbs.5200
Weight - lbs.2620
Width [transom] - DetailWidth amidship: 9 ft. 6 in. (2.90 m)
Width [transom] - Detail91 in. (2.3 m) amidship
Length - Meters8.53
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Feet28
Length - Feet19.67
Length - Inches3
Length - Inchesnot available
Length overall - Detail28 ft. 3 in. (8.53 m)
Length overall - Detail19 ft. 8 in. (6 m)
Length overall - Meters8.61
Length overall - Meters5.99
Length overall - Inches339
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 29 in. (0.7 m) tow bar height to waterline
Height - Metersnot available
Height - Meters2.41
Height - Inchesnot available
Height - Inches95
Length [over all with swim platform]not available
Length [over all with swim platform]21 ft. 6 in. (6.6 m)
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail88 gal. (333.12 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail28 gal. (106 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters333.12
Fuel tank capacity - Liters105.99
Fuel tank capacity - Gal88
Fuel tank capacity - Gal28
Drive typeInboard
Drive typeInboard
Engine makenot available
Engine makeIndmar
Engine modelnot available
Engine modelMCX 5.7 l 350 CID V-8, 312 hp (230 kW) L96 6.0 l V-8, 386 hp (284 kW)
Fuel typenot available
Fuel typeGas
Operational Info
Maximum capacity2,300 lbs (1,043 kg)
Maximum capacity1,087 lbs. (493 kg)
Maximum people15
Maximum people7
Trailer Info
Trailer - Length over all34 ft. 3 in. (10.44 m)
Trailer - Length over all22 ft. 5 in. (6.8 m) 20 ft. 7 in. (6.27 m) swing away tongue
Trailer - Weightnot available
Trailer - Weight860 lbs. (390 kg) single axle 1,040 lbs. (472 kg) tandem axle
Trailer - Widthnot available
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