MasterCraft, who is no stranger to industry accolades, has recently received another industry honor from the #1 marine publication, Boating Magazine. In its 50^th anniversary edition, Boating named the MasterCraft MariStar 280 a “new classic”, identifying it as one of the few breakthrough boats in the last several years. Boating goes on to say, “[The MariStar 280] redefined the concept of a big-water day boat. It was so impressive that it’s one of the few boats our editors ever unanimously voted Boat of the Year. A runabout built to yacht-quality standards, it’s visually exciting and fascinating in its detail".

Indeed, there are many eye-catching and focus-grabbing details that set it apart from the rest of the pack. Boating Magazine notes these characteristics by writing, “[The 280] offers the room and amenities that make deckboats so popular and presents a pro file equal parts American swag ger and European chic. The pickle-fork bow is its signa ture styling element. This not only looks racy but also maxi mizes bow space and creates a boarding platform. The curving, teak-trimmed stern offers an interesting contrast to the twin-pronged bow. The helm is sprinkled with eye-catching aluminum details—the throttle knob, the steering wheel center, the bezels of small instruments - are each machined from billet stock.”Add in other unequaled features like an enclosed head, Convenience Center that includes a sink and Corian countertop, abundant seating, cavernous storage space, a 48 quart cooler and twin V-8 engines fed by a 110 gallon fuel tank, it becomes plain why Boating Magazine again slated ink to talk about this boat.

Needless to say, MasterCraft is pleased to receive such a reputable distinction. “We were definitely stepping beyond the accepted norm when we dreamed about and then manufactured the 280,” says John Dorton, president and CEO of MasterCraft. “It took our industry by surprise and to this day no one has even come close to matching it.”

But Dorton is quick to point out it did not take MasterCraft by surprise, “MasterCraft has set itself up to achieve a higher level of innovation in design and manufacturing by investing more than anyone else in people and their ideas. The same team that created the MariStar 280 is also responsible for our world record ski boat, the ProStar 190, and the award winning, category-busting wakeboard boat, the X-Star. And now with the CSX soon rolling out, it should be clear MasterCraft will always bring unexpected, yet relevant products to the marketplace.”

To read more about this recognition, click here to view the Boating Magazine article:

Boating Magazine