Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
MasterCraft MS235SS 2009 vs MasterCraft Prostar 197 2005 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The MasterCraft MS235SS 2009 vs MasterCraft Prostar 197 2005 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 MS235SS 2009 measures 23,0 feet overall (2009), giving it roughly 4,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the MasterCraft Prostar 197 2005 at 19,0 feet (2005). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the MasterCraft MS235SS 2009 tips the scales at 465 lbs — 437 lbs more than the MasterCraft Prostar 197 2005 at 28 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 MS235SS 2009 is rated for 16 passengers, while the MasterCraft Prostar 197 2005 caps at 6. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the MasterCraft MS235SS 2009 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the MasterCraft MS235SS 2009 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 16 passengers and at 23,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The MasterCraft Prostar 197 2005 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 6 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
MakeMasterCraft
MakeMasterCraft
ModelMS235SS
ModelProstar 197
Model Year2009
Model Year2005
Measurements / Dimensions
Depth - DetailTransom: 34 in. Amidship: 27 in
Depth - DetailTransom: 20 in. (.51 m) Amidship: 23.5 in. (.57 m)
Depth - Centimeters86.36
Depth - Centimeters60.96
Depth - Inches34
Depth - Inches23.5
Draft [max] - Detail27 in
Draft [max] - Detail22 in. (.56 m)
Draft [max] - Meters0.69
Draft [max] - Meters0.56
Draft [max] - Inches27
Draft [max] - Inches22
Weight - Detail4,650 lbs
Weight - Detail2,800 lbs. (1,270.06 kg)
Weight - kg2109.2
Weight - kg1270.06
Weight - lbs.465
Weight - lbs.28
Width [transom] - DetailAmidship: 102 in
Width [transom] - DetailWidth amidship: 91 in. (2.31 m)
Height - DetailTow Bar Height to Waterline: 41 in
Height - Detailnot available
Height - Meters1.04
Height - Metersnot available
Height - Inches41
Height - Inchesnot available
Length - Feet23
Length - Feet19
Length - Inches5
Length - Inches8
Length [over all with swim platform]25 ft. 1 in
Length [over all with swim platform]22 ft. (56 m)
Length overall - Detail23 ft. 5 in
Length overall - Detail19 ft. 8 in. (5.99 m)
Length overall - Meters7.14
Length overall - Meters5.99
Length overall - Inches281
Length overall - Inches236
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Meters5.99
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialnot available
Hull typeModified Vee
Hull typenot available
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail60 gal
Fuel tank capacity - Detail28 gal. (105.96 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters227.12
Fuel tank capacity - Liters105.99
Fuel tank capacity - Gal6
Fuel tank capacity - Gal28
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typenot available
Drive typeInboard
Drive typeInboard
Operational Info
Maximum capacity2,400lbs
Maximum capacity900 lbs (408 kg)
Maximum people16
Maximum people6
Trailer Info
Trailer - Length over all26 ft. w/ Swing Away Tongue: 23 ft. 6 in
Trailer - Length over all22 ft. 10 in. (6.96 m) W/Pivot Tongue Folded: 21 ft. 1 in. (6.43 m)
Trailer - WeightTandem-axle: 1,250 lbs
Trailer - Weightnot available
Trailer - Widthnot available
Trailer - WidthSingle-axle: 99 in. (2.51 m) Tandem-axle: 100 in. (2.54 m)