Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
MasterCraft Maristar 280 VLD 2005 vs MasterCraft X-2 SS 2008 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The MasterCraft Maristar 280 VLD 2005 vs MasterCraft X-2 SS 2008 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 26,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the MasterCraft X-2 SS 2008 at 2,0 feet (2008). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the MasterCraft X-2 SS 2008 tips the scales at 335 lbs — 283 lbs less 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 Maristar 280 VLD 2005 is rated for 15 passengers, while the MasterCraft X-2 SS 2008 caps at 6. 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 X-2 SS 2008 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 6 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
MakeMasterCraft
MakeMasterCraft
ModelMaristar 280 VLD
ModelX-2 SS
Model Year2005
Model Year2008
Measurements / Dimensions
Depth - DetailTransom: 34 in. (.86 m) Amidship: 37 in. (.94 m)
Depth - DetailTransom: 27.5 in. Amidship: 26.5 in
Depth - Centimeters93.98
Depth - Centimeters71.12
Depth - Inches37
Depth - Inches27.5
Draft [max] - Detail29 in. (.74 m)
Draft [max] - Detail27 in
Draft [max] - Meters0.74
Draft [max] - Meters0.69
Draft [max] - Inches29
Draft [max] - Inches27
Weight - Detail5,200 lbs. (2,358.68 kg)
Weight - Detail3,350 lbs
Weight - kg2358.68
Weight - kg1519.53
Weight - lbs.52
Weight - lbs.335
Width [transom] - DetailWidth amidship: 9 ft. 6 in. (2.90 m)
Width [transom] - Detailnot available
Length - Meters8.53
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Feet28
Length - Feet2
Length - Inches3
Length - Inchesnot available
Length overall - Detail28 ft. 3 in. (8.53 m)
Length overall - Detail20 ft. 0 in
Length overall - Meters8.61
Length overall - Meters6.1
Length overall - Inches339
Length overall - Inches24
Beamnot available
Beam96 in
Beam - Metersnot available
Beam - Meters2.44
Beam - Inchesnot available
Beam - Inches96
Length [over all with swim platform]not available
Length [over all with swim platform]22 ft. 1 in
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail88 gal. (333.12 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail45 gal
Fuel tank capacity - Liters333.12
Fuel tank capacity - Liters170.34
Fuel tank capacity - Gal88
Fuel tank capacity - Gal45
Drive typeInboard
Drive typeInboard
Fuel typenot available
Fuel typeGas
Operational Info
Maximum capacity2,300 lbs (1,043 kg)
Maximum capacitynot available
Maximum people15
Maximum peoplenot available
Trailer Info
Trailer - Length over all34 ft. 3 in. (10.44 m)
Trailer - Length over all22 ft. 6 in. w/ Swing Away Tongue Folded: 20 ft. 9 in
Trailer - Weightnot available
Trailer - WeightSingle-axle: 935 lbs. Tandem-axle: 1,100 lbs
Trailer - Widthnot available
Trailer - WidthSingle-axle: 99 in. Tandem-axle: 100 in
Body / Hull
Hull materialnot available
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull typenot available
Hull typeModified Vee