Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
MasterCraft 197 2008 vs MasterCraft 280 SST 2006: Same Brand, Different Boat
The MasterCraft 197 2008 vs MasterCraft 280 SST 2006 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 280 SST 2006 measures 28,0 feet overall (2006), giving it roughly 9,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the MasterCraft 197 2008 at 19,0 feet (2008). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the MasterCraft 280 SST 2006 tips the scales at 6 200 lbs - 3 400 lbs less than the MasterCraft 197 2008 at 2 800 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 280 SST 2006 is rated for 15 passengers, while the MasterCraft 197 2008 caps at 7. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the MasterCraft 280 SST 2006 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the MasterCraft 280 SST 2006 if your priority is putting more people on the water - it handles 15 passengers and at 28,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The MasterCraft 197 2008 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 Year2008
Model Year2006
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam91 in.
Beam9 ft. 6 in.
Beam - Meters2.31
Beam - Meters2.9
Beam - Inches91
Beam - Inches114
Depth - DetailTransom: 20 in. Amidship: 22.5 in.
Depth - DetailTransom: 34 in. Amidship: 37 in.
Depth - Centimeters58.42
Depth - Centimeters93.98
Depth - Inches22.5
Depth - Inches37
Draft [max] - Detail22 in.
Draft [max] - Detail29 in.
Draft [max] - Meters0.56
Draft [max] - Meters0.74
Draft [max] - Inches22
Draft [max] - Inches29
Weight - Detail2,800 lbs.
Weight - Detail6,200 lbs.
Weight - kg1270.06
Weight - kg2812.27
Weight - lbs.2800
Weight - lbs.6200
Height - DetailTow Bar Height to Waterline: 29 in.
Height - Detailnot available
Height - Meters0.74
Height - Metersnot available
Height - Inches29
Height - Inchesnot available
Length - Feet19
Length - Feet28
Length - Inches8
Length - Inches3
Length [over all with swim platform]21 ft. 6 in.
Length [over all with swim platform]not available
Length overall - Detail19 ft. 8 in.
Length overall - Detail28 ft. 3 in.
Length overall - Meters5.99
Length overall - Meters8.61
Length overall - Inches236
Length overall - Inches339
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialnot available
Hull typeModified Vee
Hull typenot available
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail28 gal.
Fuel tank capacity - Detail103 gal.
Fuel tank capacity - Liters105.99
Fuel tank capacity - Liters389.9
Fuel tank capacity - Gal28
Fuel tank capacity - Gal103
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typenot available
Drive typeInboard
Drive typeInboard
Operational Info
Maximum capacity978 lbs.
Maximum capacity2,300 lbs.
Maximum people7
Maximum people15
Trailer Info
Trailer - Length over all22 ft. 5 in. w/ Swing Away Tongue Folded: 20 ft. 7 in.
Trailer - Length over allnot available
Trailer - WeightSingle-axle: 860 lbs. Tandem-axle: 1,040 lbs.
Trailer - Weightnot available
Trailer - WidthSingle-axle: 99 in. Tandem-axle: 100 in.
Trailer - Widthnot available