Both the MasterCraft MasterCraft 300 2011 and the MasterCraft X-Star SS 2008 are modified-V designs, both built in fibreglass, so the buying decision usually comes down to a handful of practical questions: how many people are you putting on the water, how far do you trailer, and what does your tow vehicle weigh?

Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The MasterCraft MasterCraft 300 2011 measures 33,8 feet overall (2011), giving it roughly 11,8 additional feet of deck space compared to the MasterCraft X-Star SS 2008 at 22,0 feet (2008). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the MasterCraft MasterCraft 300 2011 tips the scales at 12 500 lbs - 8 250 lbs more than the MasterCraft X-Star SS 2008 at 4 250 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-Star SS 2008 is rated for 12 passengers, while the MasterCraft MasterCraft 300 2011 caps at 10. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the MasterCraft X-Star SS 2008 could be the deciding factor.