When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the MasterCraft MS200 2009 and the MasterCraft X-35 2011 are modified vee designs with fiberglass construction — 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 X-35 2011 measures 23,4 feet overall (2011), giving it roughly 21,4 additional feet of deck space compared to the MasterCraft MS200 2009 at 2,0 feet (2009). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the MasterCraft MS200 2009 tips the scales at 335 lbs — 286 lbs more than the MasterCraft X-35 2011 at 49 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-35 2011 is rated for 16 passengers, while the MasterCraft MS200 2009 caps at 11. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the MasterCraft X-35 2011 could be the deciding factor.