Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
MasterCraft Maristar 280 VLD 2005 vs MasterCraft X-55 2011 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The MasterCraft Maristar 280 VLD 2005 vs MasterCraft X-55 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.
On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — MasterCraft Maristar 280 VLD 2005 at 28,0 ft versus MasterCraft X-55 2011 at 25,4 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the MasterCraft X-55 2011 tips the scales at 515 lbs — 463 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 X-55 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 X-55 2011 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the MasterCraft X-55 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
ModelMaristar 280 VLD
ModelX-55
Model Year2005
Model Year2011
Measurements / Dimensions
Depth - DetailTransom: 34 in. (.86 m) Amidship: 37 in. (.94 m)
Depth - Detail32 in. (0.8 m) transom 25 in. (0.6 m) amidship
Depth - Centimeters93.98
Depth - Centimeters81.28
Depth - Inches37
Depth - Inches32
Draft [max] - Detail29 in. (.74 m)
Draft [max] - Detail32 in. (0.8 m)
Draft [max] - Meters0.74
Draft [max] - Meters0.81
Draft [max] - Inches29
Draft [max] - Inches32
Weight - Detail5,200 lbs. (2,358.68 kg)
Weight - Detail5,150 lbs. (2,336 kg)
Weight - kg2358.68
Weight - kg2336
Weight - lbs.52
Weight - lbs.515
Width [transom] - DetailWidth amidship: 9 ft. 6 in. (2.90 m)
Width [transom] - Detail102 in. (2.59 m) amidship
Length - Meters8.53
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Feet28
Length - Feet25.42
Length - Inches3
Length - Inchesnot available
Length overall - Detail28 ft. 3 in. (8.53 m)
Length overall - Detail25 ft. 5 in. (7.75 m)
Length overall - Meters8.61
Length overall - Meters7.75
Length overall - Inches339
Length overall - Inches305
Height - Detailnot available
Height - Detail110 in. (2.8 m) standard tower to lowest point on keel
Height - Metersnot available
Height - Meters2.79
Height - Inchesnot available
Height - Inches11
Length [over all with swim platform]not available
Length [over all with swim platform]27 ft. 8 in. (8.4 m)
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail88 gal. (333.12 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail90 gal. (341 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters333.12
Fuel tank capacity - Liters340.69
Fuel tank capacity - Gal88
Fuel tank capacity - Gal9
Drive typeInboard
Drive typeInboard
Engine makenot available
Engine makeIndmar, Ilmore
Engine modelnot 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)
Fuel typenot available
Fuel typeGas
Operational Info
Maximum capacity2,300 lbs (1,043 kg)
Maximum capacitynot available
Maximum people15
Maximum people18
Trailer Info
Trailer - Length over all34 ft. 3 in. (10.44 m)
Trailer - Length over all31 ft. 2 in. (9.5 m)
Trailer - Weightnot available
Trailer - Weight1,375 lbs. (624 kg)
Trailer - Widthnot available
Trailer - Width100 in. (2.54 m)
Body / Hull
Hull materialnot available
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull typenot available
Hull typeModified Vee