MasterCraft 209 2006 boat specs
MasterCraft
MasterCraft 209 2006
2006
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VS
MasterCraft 280V 2011 boat specs
MasterCraft
MasterCraft 280V 2011
2011
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MasterCraft 209 2006 vs MasterCraft 280V 2011 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The MasterCraft 209 2006 vs MasterCraft 280V 2011 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 280V 2011 measures 28,3 feet overall (2011), giving it roughly 7,3 additional feet of deck space compared to the MasterCraft 209 2006 at 21,0 feet (2006). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the MasterCraft 209 2006 tips the scales at 292 lbs — 230 lbs more than the MasterCraft 280V 2011 at 62 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 209 2006 is rated for 9 passengers, while the MasterCraft 280V 2011 caps at 8. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the MasterCraft 209 2006 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the MasterCraft 209 2006 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 9 passengers and at 21,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The MasterCraft 280V 2011 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 8 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
MakeMasterCraft
MakeMasterCraft
Model209
Model280V
Model Year2006
Model Year2011
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam96 in
Beamnot available
Beam - Meters2.44
Beam - Metersnot available
Beam - Inches96
Beam - Inchesnot available
Depth - DetailTransom: 23 in. Amidship: 25.5 in
Depth - Detail34 in. (0.86 m) transom 37 in. (0.94 m) amidship
Depth - Centimeters66.04
Depth - Centimeters93.98
Depth - Inches25.5
Depth - Inches37
Draft [max] - Detail24 in
Draft [max] - Detail29 in. (0.7 m)
Draft [max] - Meters0.61
Draft [max] - Meters0.74
Draft [max] - Inches24
Draft [max] - Inches29
Weight - Detail2,920 lbs
Weight - Detail6,200 lbs. (2,812 kg)
Weight - kg1324.49
Weight - kg2812.27
Weight - lbs.292
Weight - lbs.62
Length - Feet21
Length - Feet28.25
Length [over all with swim platform]22 ft. 10 in
Length [over all with swim platform]not available
Length overall - Detail21 ft. 0 in
Length overall - Detail28 ft. 3 in. (8.6 m)
Length overall - Meters6.4
Length overall - Meters8.61
Length overall - Inches252
Length overall - Inches339
Width [transom] - Detailnot available
Width [transom] - Detail9 ft. 6 in. (2.9 m) amidship
Height - Detailnot available
Height - Detail116 in. (2.9 m) standard tower to lowest point on keel
Height - Metersnot available
Height - Meters2.95
Height - Inchesnot available
Height - Inches116
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail35 gal
Fuel tank capacity - Detail100 gal. (379 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters132.49
Fuel tank capacity - Liters378.54
Fuel tank capacity - Gal35
Fuel tank capacity - Gal1
Drive typeInboard
Drive typeInboard - Twin
Engine makenot available
Engine makeIndmar, Ilmore
Engine modelnot available
Engine modelIndmar: MCX 5.7 l 350 CID V-8, 312 hp (230 kW) Indmar: L96 6.0 l V-8, 386 hp (284 kW) Ilmore: 5.7 l V-8, 325 hp (239 kW)
Fuel typenot available
Fuel typeGas
Operational Info
Maximum capacity1,370 lbs
Maximum capacityYacht Certified, no capacity
Maximum people9
Maximum peoplenot available
Trailer Info
Trailer - Length over allw/ Swing Away Tongue Folded: 21 ft
Trailer - Length over allnot available
Trailer - WeightSingle-axle: 900 lbs. Tandem-axle: 1,050 lbs
Trailer - Weight1,180 lbs. (535 kg)
Trailer - WidthSingle-axle: 99 in. Tandem-axle: 100 in
Trailer - Widthnot available
Body / Hull
Hull materialnot available
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull typenot available
Hull typeModified Vee

MasterCraft 209 2006 vs MasterCraft 280V 2011 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the MasterCraft 209 2006 or the MasterCraft 280V 2011?
The MasterCraft 280V 2011 is the longer of the two at 28,3 feet overall. The MasterCraft 209 2006 comes in at 21,0 feet, making it roughly 7,3 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.
Which is easier to trailer — the MasterCraft 209 2006 or the MasterCraft 280V 2011?
For trailering, the MasterCraft 280V 2011 has the edge at 62 lbs dry weight versus 292 lbs for the MasterCraft 209 2006. Add a motor (typically 300–500 lbs for an outboard in this class), gear, and a partial fuel load and the difference grows. Lighter is friendlier on smaller tow vehicles and on fuel economy while hauling.
How many people can each boat hold?
The MasterCraft 209 2006 is Coast Guard rated for 9 passengers, while the MasterCraft 280V 2011 is certified for 8. Note that legal capacity and comfortable capacity aren't always the same thing — on a full day out, most experienced boaters aim for about 80% of the rated number to keep things comfortable.
Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the MasterCraft 209 2006 or the MasterCraft 280V 2011?
The MasterCraft 209 2006 has the bigger tank at 35 gallons, versus 1 gallons on the MasterCraft 280V 2011. That 34-gallon difference translates to roughly 102–170 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.
Are the MasterCraft 209 2006 and MasterCraft 280V 2011 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the MasterCraft 209 2006 and the MasterCraft 280V 2011 are built by MasterCraft. That means shared dealer networks, common parts availability, and consistent build quality across the line. The choice between them is essentially a question of how much boat you need, not which brand you trust.