WaterSki Magazine

WATERSKI Magazine
2002-12-30 15:00:00 | 442 views |
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MasterCraft Maristar 280 VLD

Length 28 ft. 3 in.

Beam 114 in.

Seating capacity 15

Fuel capacity

Test prop OJ 14×20 4-blade stainless steel

Test engine Indmar Vortec L-18 8.1L EFI, 450 HP

Top speed 50.2 mph 5,300 rpm

Accel. to 30 mph 8.03 sec 183.5 ft.

Accel. to 36 mph 10.5 sec. 300.1 ft.

Noise levels (db) Neutral 71 D 70 R, 36 mph 88 D 97 R

www.waterskimag.com/mastercraft280vld

 The rumors had been buzzing for a while that MasterCraft
was brewing up something big. Still, when the brand-new MariStar
280 VLD cannonballed into the water during our boat test, we
weren’t ready for it.

This mother of all MasterCrafts is a knock-your-skis-off thing
of beauty. With measurements of 28 feet, 3 inches by 9 feet, 6
inches, its square footage is greater than that of any boat
we’ve tested. From size to amenities to performance,
it’s the closest the industry comes to a true water-sports
yacht.

More features fit on the 280 VLD than will fit on this page, so
we’ll stick to the highlights. The two-point open bow has
expansive space for both passengers and storage, with room for an
anchor locker and a four-step boarding ladder. The driver’s
console offers electric trim tabs with digital readout, Perfect
Pass Wakeboard Edition standard and innovative X-Pod gauge modules.
Passengers get to stretch out their legs and enjoy luxury seating,
enclosed head, freshwater sink, convertible observer seat, 50-quart
cooler, 17 cup holders, two sun pads, walk-through transom and
extra-wide swim platform.

Get behind this monster and you’ll get monstrous wakes to
satisfy your wakeboard jones. It even comes with a tower and
built-in board racks, or ditch the boards and pull a pyramid of
show skiers. But it’s really hard to pull yourself away from
that interior. If this had been the only boat we had to test, we
would have taken advantage of that 88-gallon fuel tank, the cooler
and the head for a few days of uninterrupted freedom.

 The Lowdown:

•Offers more of everything: more seating, more storage,
more amenities.

•Two-point bow tapers to V-bottom hull for handling through
rough water.

•Accessible from the front with the bow ladder.

•Transom incorporates a walk-through for extremely easy
access to the massive swim platform.

•Engine compartment opens at the push of a button.

•Convenience center behind the cockpit includes trash can,
cutting board and freshwater sink with six-gallon holding tank.

•Driver’s console outfitted with extensive
instrumentation and X-Pod design.