Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
MasterCraft PS197 2013 vs MasterCraft X-55 2012 — Which Modified Vee Fits Your Needs?
When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the MasterCraft PS197 2013 and the MasterCraft X-55 2012 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-55 2012 measures 25,4 feet overall (2012), giving it roughly 5,8 additional feet of deck space compared to the MasterCraft PS197 2013 at 19,7 feet (2013). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the MasterCraft X-55 2012 tips the scales at 515 lbs — 482 lbs less than the MasterCraft PS197 2013 at 33 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-55 2012 is rated for 18 passengers, while the MasterCraft PS197 2013 caps at 7. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the MasterCraft X-55 2012 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the MasterCraft X-55 2012 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 18 passengers and at 25,4 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The MasterCraft PS197 2013 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 7 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
MakeMasterCraft
MakeMasterCraft
Model Year2013
Model Year2012
Measurements / Dimensions
Draft [max] - Detail22 in. (0.56 m)
Draft [max] - Detail32 in. (0.8 m)
Draft [max] - Meters0.56
Draft [max] - Meters0.81
Draft [max] - Inches22
Draft [max] - Inches32
Weight - Detail3,300 lbs. (1,497 kg)
Weight - Detail5,150 lbs. (2,336 kg)
Weight - kg1496.85
Weight - kg2336
Weight - lbs.33
Weight - lbs.515
Width [transom] - Detail91 in. (2.3 m) amidship
Width [transom] - Detail102 in. (2.59 m) amidship
Height - Detail83 in. (2.1 m) mini tower 95 in. (2.4 m) standard tower to lowest point on keel
Height - Detail110 in. (2.8 m) standard tower to lowest point on keel
Height - Meters2.41
Height - Meters2.79
Height - Inches95
Height - Inches11
Length - Feet19.67
Length - Feet25.42
Length overall - Detail19 ft. 8 in. (5.99 m)
Length overall - Detail25 ft. 5 in. (7.75 m)
Length overall - Meters5.99
Length overall - Meters7.75
Length overall - Inches236
Length overall - Inches305
Depth - Detailnot available
Depth - Detail32 in. (0.8 m) transom 25 in. (0.6 m) amidship
Depth - Centimetersnot available
Depth - Centimeters81.28
Depth - Inchesnot available
Depth - Inches32
Length [over all with swim platform]not available
Length [over all with swim platform]27 ft. 8 in. (8.4 m)
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull typeModified Vee
Hull typeModified Vee
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine makeIlmor
Engine makeIlmor
Engine modelSee Options
Engine model6.0 l V-8, 382 hp (285 kW) 6.2 l V-8, 430 hp (321 kW) 7.4 l V-8, 523 hp (390 kW)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail29 gal. (109 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail90 gal. (341 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters109.78
Fuel tank capacity - Liters340.69
Fuel tank capacity - Gal29
Fuel tank capacity - Gal9
Drive typeInboard
Drive typeInboard
Operational Info
Maximum capacity1,087 lbs. (493 kg)
Maximum capacity3,000 lbs. (1,361 kg)
Maximum people7
Maximum people18
Trailer Info
Trailer - Length over allnot available
Trailer - Length over all31 ft. 2 in. (9.5 m)
Trailer - Weightnot available
Trailer - Weight1,375 lbs. (624 kg)
Trailer - Widthnot available
Trailer - Width100 in. (2.54 m)