MasterCraft 280 SST 2006 boat specs
MasterCraft
MasterCraft 280 SST 2006
2006
View full specs →
VS
MasterCraft 280V 2011 boat specs
MasterCraft
MasterCraft 280V 2011
2011
View full specs →

MasterCraft 280 SST 2006 vs MasterCraft 280V 2011 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The MasterCraft 280 SST 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.

On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — MasterCraft 280 SST 2006 at 28,0 ft versus MasterCraft 280V 2011 at 28,3 ft. At 62 lbs and 62 lbs respectively, both sit in a similar weight class — either should pair comfortably with most mid-size SUVs and half-ton trucks, though always confirm your specific tow rating with the motor added.

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 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 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 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
Model280 SST
Model280V
Model Year2006
Model Year2011
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam9 ft. 6 in
Beamnot available
Beam - Meters2.9
Beam - Metersnot available
Beam - Inches114
Beam - Inchesnot available
Depth - DetailTransom: 34 in. Amidship: 37 in
Depth - Detail34 in. (0.86 m) transom 37 in. (0.94 m) amidship
Depth - Centimeters93.98
Depth - Centimeters93.98
Depth - Inches37
Depth - Inches37
Draft [max] - Detail29 in
Draft [max] - Detail29 in. (0.7 m)
Draft [max] - Meters0.74
Draft [max] - Meters0.74
Draft [max] - Inches29
Draft [max] - Inches29
Weight - Detail6,200 lbs
Weight - Detail6,200 lbs. (2,812 kg)
Weight - kg2812.27
Weight - kg2812.27
Weight - lbs.62
Weight - lbs.62
Length - Feet28
Length - Feet28.25
Length - Inches3
Length - Inchesnot available
Length overall - Detail28 ft. 3 in
Length overall - Detail28 ft. 3 in. (8.6 m)
Length overall - Meters8.61
Length overall - Meters8.61
Length overall - Inches339
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 - Detail103 gal
Fuel tank capacity - Detail100 gal. (379 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters389.9
Fuel tank capacity - Liters378.54
Fuel tank capacity - Gal103
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 capacity2,300 lbs
Maximum capacityYacht Certified, no capacity
Maximum people15
Maximum peoplenot available
Body / Hull
Hull materialnot available
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull typenot available
Hull typeModified Vee
Trailer Info
Trailer - Weightnot available
Trailer - Weight1,180 lbs. (535 kg)

MasterCraft 280 SST 2006 vs MasterCraft 280V 2011 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the MasterCraft 280 SST 2006 or the MasterCraft 280V 2011?
The MasterCraft 280V 2011 is the longer of the two at 28,3 feet overall. The MasterCraft 280 SST 2006 comes in at 28,0 feet, making it roughly 0,3 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.
Which is easier to trailer — the MasterCraft 280 SST 2006 or the MasterCraft 280V 2011?
For trailering, the MasterCraft 280V 2011 has the edge at 62 lbs dry weight versus 62 lbs for the MasterCraft 280 SST 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 280 SST 2006 is Coast Guard rated for 15 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 280 SST 2006 or the MasterCraft 280V 2011?
The MasterCraft 280 SST 2006 has the bigger tank at 103 gallons, versus 1 gallons on the MasterCraft 280V 2011. That 102-gallon difference translates to roughly 306–510 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.
Are the MasterCraft 280 SST 2006 and MasterCraft 280V 2011 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the MasterCraft 280 SST 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.