Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
MasterCraft 225V 2011 vs MasterCraft 280 STS 2006 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The MasterCraft 225V 2011 vs MasterCraft 280 STS 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 STS 2006 measures 28,0 feet overall (2006), giving it roughly 6,5 additional feet of deck space compared to the MasterCraft 225V 2011 at 21,5 feet (2011). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the MasterCraft 225V 2011 tips the scales at 415 lbs — 353 lbs more than the MasterCraft 280 STS 2006 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 225V 2011 is rated for 16 passengers, while the MasterCraft 280 STS 2006 caps at 15. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the MasterCraft 225V 2011 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the MasterCraft 225V 2011 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 16 passengers and at 21,5 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The MasterCraft 280 STS 2006 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 15 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
MakeMasterCraft
MakeMasterCraft
Model Year2011
Model Year2006
Measurements / Dimensions
Depth - Detail33 in. (0.84 m) transom 32 in. (0.81 m) amidship
Depth - DetailTransom: 34 in. Amidship: 37 in
Depth - Centimeters83.82
Depth - Centimeters93.98
Depth - Inches33
Depth - Inches37
Draft [max] - Detail28 in. (0.71 m)
Draft [max] - Detail29 in
Draft [max] - Meters0.71
Draft [max] - Meters0.74
Draft [max] - Inches28
Draft [max] - Inches29
Weight - Detail4,150 lbs. (1,882 kg)
Weight - Detail6,200 lbs
Weight - kg1882.41
Weight - kg2812.27
Weight - lbs.415
Weight - lbs.62
Width [transom] - Detail102 in. (2.59 m) amidship
Width [transom] - Detailnot available
Height - Detail106.5 in. (2.7 m) standard tower to lowest point on keel
Height - Detailnot available
Height - Meters2.72
Height - Metersnot available
Height - Inches106.5
Height - Inchesnot available
Length - Feet21.5
Length - Feet28
Length [over all with swim platform]23 ft. 8 in. (7.18 m)
Length [over all with swim platform]not available
Length overall - Detail21 ft. 6 in. (6.58 m)
Length overall - Detail28 ft. 3 in
Length overall - Meters6.55
Length overall - Meters8.61
Length overall - Inches258
Length overall - Inches339
Beamnot available
Beam9 ft. 6 in
Beam - Metersnot available
Beam - Meters2.9
Beam - Inchesnot available
Beam - Inches114
Length - Inchesnot available
Length - Inches3
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialnot available
Hull typeModified Vee
Hull typenot available
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine makeIndmar, Ilmore
Engine makenot 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) Ilmore: 6.0 l V-8, 386 hp (284 kW) Ilmore: 6.2 l V-8, 436 hp (321 kW)
Engine modelnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Detail53 gal. (200 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail103 gal
Fuel tank capacity - Liters200.63
Fuel tank capacity - Liters389.9
Fuel tank capacity - Gal53
Fuel tank capacity - Gal103
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typenot available
Drive typeInboard
Drive typeInboard
Operational Info
Maximum capacity2,440 lbs. (1,107 kg)
Maximum capacity2,300 lbs
Maximum people16
Maximum people15
Trailer Info
Trailer - Length over all26 ft. 11 in. (8.2 m)
Trailer - Length over allnot available