MasterCraft Maristar 280 VLD 2005 vs MasterCraft X-StarSS 2009 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the MasterCraft Maristar 280 VLD 2005 or the MasterCraft X-StarSS 2009?

The MasterCraft Maristar 280 VLD 2005 is the longer of the two at 28,0 feet overall. The MasterCraft X-StarSS 2009 comes in at 22,0 feet, making it roughly 6,0 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-StarSS 2009?

For trailering, the MasterCraft Maristar 280 VLD 2005 has the edge at 52 lbs dry weight versus 425 lbs for the MasterCraft X-StarSS 2009. 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-StarSS 2009 is certified for 12. 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-StarSS 2009?

The MasterCraft Maristar 280 VLD 2005 has the bigger tank at 88 gallons, versus 53 gallons on the MasterCraft X-StarSS 2009. That 35-gallon difference translates to roughly 105–175 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-StarSS 2009 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the MasterCraft Maristar 280 VLD 2005 and the MasterCraft X-StarSS 2009 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-StarSS 2009

MasterCraft

MasterCraft Maristar 280 VLD 2005

2005

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MasterCraft

MasterCraft X-StarSS 2009

2009

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

MasterCraft Maristar 280 VLD 2005 vs MasterCraft X-StarSS 2009 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The MasterCraft Maristar 280 VLD 2005 vs MasterCraft X-StarSS 2009 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 6,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the MasterCraft X-StarSS 2009 at 22,0 feet (2009). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the MasterCraft X-StarSS 2009 tips the scales at 425 lbs — 373 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-StarSS 2009 caps at 12. 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-StarSS 2009 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

ModelMaristar 280 VLD

ModelX-StarSS

Model Year2005

Model Year2009

Measurements / Dimensions

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

Depth - DetailTransom: 28 in. Amidship: 32 in

Depth - Centimeters93.98

Depth - Centimeters81.28

Depth - Inches37

Depth - Inches32

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

Draft [max] - Detail28 in

Draft [max] - Meters0.74

Draft [max] - Meters0.71

Draft [max] - Inches29

Draft [max] - Inches28

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

Weight - Detail4,250 lbs

Weight - kg2358.68

Weight - kg1927.77

Weight - lbs.52

Weight - lbs.425

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

Width [transom] - Detailnot available

Length - Meters8.53

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Feet28

Length - Feet22

Length - Inches3

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

Length overall - Detail22 ft. 3 in

Length overall - Meters8.61

Length overall - Meters6.78

Length overall - Inches339

Length overall - Inches267

Beamnot available

Beam100 in

Beam - Metersnot available

Beam - Meters2.54

Beam - Inchesnot available

Beam - Inches1

Length [over all with swim platform]not available

Length [over all with swim platform]24 ft. 5 in

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail88 gal. (333.12 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail53 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Liters333.12

Fuel tank capacity - Liters200.63

Fuel tank capacity - Gal88

Fuel tank capacity - Gal53

Drive typeInboard

Fuel typenot available

Fuel typeGas

Operational Info

Maximum capacity2,300 lbs (1,043 kg)

Maximum capacity1,770 lbs

Maximum people15

Maximum people12

Trailer Info

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

Trailer - Length over all25 ft. 5 in. Swing Away Tongue Folded: 24 ft

Trailer - Weightnot available

Trailer - WeightTandem-axle: 1,240 lbs

Body / Hull

Hull materialnot available

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typenot available

Hull typeModified Vee

MasterCraft Maristar 280 VLD 2005 vs MasterCraft X-StarSS 2009 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the MasterCraft Maristar 280 VLD 2005 or the MasterCraft X-StarSS 2009?

The MasterCraft Maristar 280 VLD 2005 is the longer of the two at 28,0 feet overall. The MasterCraft X-StarSS 2009 comes in at 22,0 feet, making it roughly 6,0 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-StarSS 2009?

For trailering, the MasterCraft Maristar 280 VLD 2005 has the edge at 52 lbs dry weight versus 425 lbs for the MasterCraft X-StarSS 2009. 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-StarSS 2009 is certified for 12. 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-StarSS 2009?

The MasterCraft Maristar 280 VLD 2005 has the bigger tank at 88 gallons, versus 53 gallons on the MasterCraft X-StarSS 2009. That 35-gallon difference translates to roughly 105–175 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the MasterCraft Maristar 280 VLD 2005 and MasterCraft X-StarSS 2009 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the MasterCraft Maristar 280 VLD 2005 and the MasterCraft X-StarSS 2009 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-StarSS 2009 full specs