Ski and wakeboat manufacturer MasterCraft has decided to enter the realm of day boats, and their first launch is the 300.

About the MC 300

While the sheer size of the MasterCraft 300 is commanding, it is the refined, yacht-like luxury that will ultimately cause deep and aspiring admiration among MasterCraft fans. Access to the bow is by either the offset walk-through windshield, or traversing the narrow side decks. The walk-through option is made easy by the interlinked window latches -- open the top and the bottom latch follows. As if the teak, that is everywhere on the decks, weren’t abundant enough, the steps are also teak, a nice feature that illustrates the extra mile that MasterCraft is willing to go with this premier edition.



The new MasterCraft 300 was extensively sea-trialed and tested by the factory all last year and is now ready for prime time. Rarely has a new boat been so long in gestation.



Bathed in soft red lighting for night piloting the MasterCraft 300 conjures up all sorts of possibilities for an evening cruising adventure.

Back down in the helm, the cockpit has some features found only in much larger boats. At the ergonomically designed helm, the driver is greeted by a either a Garmin 4208 or optional Garmin 5208 touch screen – this lets the driver monitor all the boat’s systems, including electronic charts, radar and a 3-D reading of the ocean floor. Luxurious touches, like the lined personal electronics drawer, the hardwood trim and programmable switches make piloting the MasterCraft 300 fun. Dual vertical rows of electrical switches line both sides of the main display.

Add the optional ZF Joystick Maneuvering System to the automatic trim tab system and no one will have a problem taking the MC 300 for a spin or bringing her back again.

The Cockpit

The area abaft the helm continues the tradition of lavishness. For starters, each side has a wet bar comprised of custom, high-gloss hardwood cabinets. The port wet bar is topped with a Karadon countertop, stainless steel sink and a 25 quart removable cooler. On the other side, the starboard wet bar also has a Karadon countertop with the option to add an electric grill, stainless steel refrigerator or icemaker and waterproof flat screen TV that lifts up from its hiding spot beneath the countertop.



Plenty of room for sunbathing on the stern, and there are two more bunny pads on the bow.

As guests move further back they will discover transom seating, top-grade ultra soft exterior vinyl.

Misty Glass Top

Revolutionary features abound directly above the cockpit as well. In addition to the standard sport arch, the MasterCraft 300 also offers a unique glass hardtop. The hardtop, framed in top-grade aluminum, has tinted glass to reduce the amount of UV light allowed into the cockpit yet does not limit the view of the sky and the feeling of being out in the open. The hardtop frame incorporates numerous task lights that alternate between white, blue, and red depending on your mood and visibility requirements. A misting system is designed to spray occupants with a fine, cooling mist.

Below Deck

After taking a few steps down, guests enter a salon that is standard with customized hardwood cabinets, hardwood flooring and ultra-leather fabrics that can be ordered to taste. Immediately to port is the standard stand-up shower and head with full size entrance door. Next to this is the galley with Karadon quartz countertops, microwave, refrigerator/freezer and sink. Straight ahead toward the bow is an ornate sleeping area that is laden with yacht-grade fabrics and appointments and is as large as found on a typical 34 or 36 foot cruiser.



Because of the “twin-tip” bow the MasterCraft 300 has been able to carry the beam forward to put the double berth athawartship. This means that there is more room left in the salon/galley. We like it.

Abaft the bed is the semi-circular settee with fold out table where people can eat, or relax and watch the standard 26” HD LCD TV. And if that were not enough, the MC 300 comes standard with Contour Zone, a programmable 12V control system that allows anyone onboard to manage all the boat’s electrical systems including lights, A/C, alarms and more from one device.



The “twin-tip” MC 300 has a LOA of 33’9” (10.3 m), a beam of 11’ (3.4 m), and a draft of 36” (.9 m). She has a dry weight of 14,000 lbs. (6,350 kg) carries 200 gallons (757 L) of fuel and 30 gallons (113.6 L) freshwater.

There is a lot to like about this boat. And we find ourselves wondering where MasterCraft will be going from here.