MasterCraft Maristar 280 VLD 2005 vs MasterCraft X-80 2006 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat - the MasterCraft Maristar 280 VLD 2005 or the MasterCraft X-80 2006?

The MasterCraft X-80 2006 is the longer of the two at 28,0 feet overall. The MasterCraft Maristar 280 VLD 2005 comes in at 28,0 feet, making it roughly 0,0 ft shorter - a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which is easier to trailer - the MasterCraft Maristar 280 VLD 2005 or the MasterCraft X-80 2006?

For trailering, the MasterCraft Maristar 280 VLD 2005 has the edge at 5 200 lbs dry weight versus 6 420 lbs for the MasterCraft X-80 2006. Add a motor (typically 300–500 lbs for an outboard in this class), gear, and a partial fuel load and the difference grows. Lighter is friendlier on smaller tow vehicles and on fuel economy while hauling.

Q: How many people can each boat hold?

The MasterCraft Maristar 280 VLD 2005 is Coast Guard rated for 15 passengers, while the MasterCraft X-80 2006 is certified for 15. Note that legal capacity and comfortable capacity aren't always the same thing - on a full day out, most experienced boaters aim for about 80% of the rated number to keep things comfortable.

Q: Which boat has the larger fuel tank - the MasterCraft Maristar 280 VLD 2005 or the MasterCraft X-80 2006?

The MasterCraft X-80 2006 has the bigger tank at 103 gallons, versus 88 gallons on the MasterCraft Maristar 280 VLD 2005. That 15-gallon difference translates to roughly 45–75 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the MasterCraft Maristar 280 VLD 2005 and MasterCraft X-80 2006 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the MasterCraft Maristar 280 VLD 2005 and the MasterCraft X-80 2006 are built by MasterCraft. That means shared dealer networks, common parts availability, and consistent build quality across the line. The choice between them is essentially a question of how much boat you need, not which brand you trust.

Boat Comparison

MasterCraft Maristar 280 VLD 2005 vs MasterCraft X-80 2006

MasterCraft

MasterCraft Maristar 280 VLD 2005

2005

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MasterCraft

MasterCraft X-80 2006

2006

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

MasterCraft Maristar 280 VLD 2005 vs MasterCraft X-80 2006: Same Brand, Different Boat

The MasterCraft Maristar 280 VLD 2005 vs MasterCraft X-80 2006 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-80 2006 at 28,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the MasterCraft X-80 2006 tips the scales at 6 420 lbs - 1 220 lbs less than the MasterCraft Maristar 280 VLD 2005 at 5 200 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.

Both boats are rated for 15 passengers - a good fit for a family of four or five plus guests. Comfort at capacity is another matter; the longer hull typically means more seat options and better weight distribution.

Bottom line: The MasterCraft Maristar 280 VLD 2005 and MasterCraft X-80 2006 are closely matched on the specs that matter most. Test-ride both on the water you actually use, check current dealer pricing, and factor in long-term service access before you sign.

General Boat Info

MakeMasterCraft

ModelMaristar 280 VLD

ModelX-80

Model Year2005

Model Year2006

Measurements / Dimensions

Depth - DetailTransom: 34 in. (.86 m) Amidship: 37 in. (.94 m)

Depth - DetailTransom: 34 in. Amidship: 37 in.

Depth - Centimeters93.98

Depth - Inches37

Draft [max] - Detail29 in. (.74 m)

Draft [max] - Detail29 in.

Draft [max] - Meters0.74

Draft [max] - Inches29

Weight - Detail5,200 lbs. (2,358.68 kg)

Weight - Detail6,420 lbs.

Weight - kg2358.68

Weight - kg2912.06

Weight - lbs.5200

Weight - lbs.6420

Width [transom] - DetailWidth amidship: 9 ft. 6 in. (2.90 m)

Width [transom] - Detailnot available

Length - Meters8.53

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Feet28

Length - Inches3

Length overall - Detail28 ft. 3 in. (8.53 m)

Length overall - Detail28 ft. 3 in.

Length overall - Meters8.61

Length overall - Inches339

Beamnot available

Beam9 ft. 6 in.

Beam - Metersnot available

Beam - Meters2.9

Beam - Inchesnot available

Beam - Inches114

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail88 gal. (333.12 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail103 gal.

Fuel tank capacity - Liters333.12

Fuel tank capacity - Liters389.9

Fuel tank capacity - Gal88

Fuel tank capacity - Gal103

Drive typeInboard

Operational Info

Maximum capacity2,300 lbs (1,043 kg)

Maximum capacity2,300 lbs.

Maximum people15

Trailer Info

Trailer - Length over all34 ft. 3 in. (10.44 m)

Trailer - Length over allnot available

MasterCraft Maristar 280 VLD 2005 vs MasterCraft X-80 2006 - Common Questions

Which is the larger boat - the MasterCraft Maristar 280 VLD 2005 or the MasterCraft X-80 2006?

The MasterCraft X-80 2006 is the longer of the two at 28,0 feet overall. The MasterCraft Maristar 280 VLD 2005 comes in at 28,0 feet, making it roughly 0,0 ft shorter - a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which is easier to trailer - the MasterCraft Maristar 280 VLD 2005 or the MasterCraft X-80 2006?

For trailering, the MasterCraft Maristar 280 VLD 2005 has the edge at 5 200 lbs dry weight versus 6 420 lbs for the MasterCraft X-80 2006. Add a motor (typically 300–500 lbs for an outboard in this class), gear, and a partial fuel load and the difference grows. Lighter is friendlier on smaller tow vehicles and on fuel economy while hauling.

How many people can each boat hold?

The MasterCraft Maristar 280 VLD 2005 is Coast Guard rated for 15 passengers, while the MasterCraft X-80 2006 is certified for 15. Note that legal capacity and comfortable capacity aren't always the same thing - on a full day out, most experienced boaters aim for about 80% of the rated number to keep things comfortable.

Which boat has the larger fuel tank - the MasterCraft Maristar 280 VLD 2005 or the MasterCraft X-80 2006?

The MasterCraft X-80 2006 has the bigger tank at 103 gallons, versus 88 gallons on the MasterCraft Maristar 280 VLD 2005. That 15-gallon difference translates to roughly 45–75 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the MasterCraft Maristar 280 VLD 2005 and MasterCraft X-80 2006 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the MasterCraft Maristar 280 VLD 2005 and the MasterCraft X-80 2006 are built by MasterCraft. That means shared dealer networks, common parts availability, and consistent build quality across the line. The choice between them is essentially a question of how much boat you need, not which brand you trust.

← MasterCraft Maristar 280 VLD 2005 full specs ← MasterCraft X-80 2006 full specs