Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
MasterCraft 245 SS 2008 vs MasterCraft 280 STS 2006 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The MasterCraft 245 SS 2008 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 4,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the MasterCraft 245 SS 2008 at 24,0 feet (2008). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the MasterCraft 245 SS 2008 tips the scales at 473 lbs — 411 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 245 SS 2008 is rated for 18 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 245 SS 2008 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the MasterCraft 245 SS 2008 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 18 passengers and at 24,0 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 Year2008
Model Year2006
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Meters2.9
Beam - Inches102
Beam - Inches114
Depth - DetailTransom: 28 in. Amidship: 19 in
Depth - DetailTransom: 34 in. Amidship: 37 in
Depth - Centimeters71.12
Depth - Centimeters93.98
Depth - Inches28
Depth - Inches37
Draft [max] - Detail28 in
Draft [max] - Detail29 in
Draft [max] - Meters0.71
Draft [max] - Meters0.74
Draft [max] - Inches28
Draft [max] - Inches29
Weight - Detail4,730 lbs
Weight - Detail6,200 lbs
Weight - kg2145.49
Weight - kg2812.27
Weight - lbs.473
Weight - lbs.62
Length - Feet24
Length - Feet28
Length - Inches2
Length - Inches3
Length [over all with swim platform]26 ft. 3 in
Length [over all with swim platform]not available
Length overall - Detail24 ft. 2 in
Length overall - Detail28 ft. 3 in
Length overall - Meters7.37
Length overall - Meters8.61
Length overall - Inches29
Length overall - Inches339
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialnot available
Hull typeModified Vee
Hull typenot available
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail90 gal
Fuel tank capacity - Detail103 gal
Fuel tank capacity - Liters340.69
Fuel tank capacity - Liters389.9
Fuel tank capacity - Gal9
Fuel tank capacity - Gal103
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typenot available
Drive typeInboard
Drive typeInboard
Operational Info
Maximum capacity2,928 lbs
Maximum capacity2,300 lbs
Maximum people18
Maximum people15
Trailer Info
Trailer - Length over all26 ft. 11 in. w/ Swing Away Tongue Folded: 24 ft. 3 in
Trailer - Length over allnot available
Trailer - WeightTandem-axle: 1,480 lbs
Trailer - Weightnot available
Trailer - WidthTandem-axle: 100 in
Trailer - Widthnot available