Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
MasterCraft 280 SST 2006 vs MasterCraft CSX265 2011: Same Brand, Different Boat
The MasterCraft 280 SST 2006 vs MasterCraft CSX265 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 CSX265 2011 at 26,4 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the MasterCraft CSX265 2011 tips the scales at 7 750 lbs - 1 550 lbs less than the MasterCraft 280 SST 2006 at 6 200 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 CSX265 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 CSX265 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
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 - Detail32 in. (0.81 m) transom 25 in. (0.64 m) amidship
Depth - Centimeters93.98
Depth - Centimeters81.28
Depth - Inches37
Depth - Inches32
Draft [max] - Detail29 in.
Draft [max] - Detail32 in. (0.81 m)
Draft [max] - Meters0.74
Draft [max] - Meters0.81
Draft [max] - Inches29
Draft [max] - Inches32
Weight - Detail6,200 lbs.
Weight - Detail7,750 lbs. (3,515 kg)
Weight - kg2812.27
Weight - kg3515.34
Weight - lbs.6200
Weight - lbs.7750
Length - Feet28
Length - Feet26.42
Length - Inches3
Length - Inchesnot available
Length overall - Detail28 ft. 3 in.
Length overall - Detail26 ft. 5 in. (8.05 m)
Length overall - Meters8.61
Length overall - Meters8.05
Length overall - Inches339
Length overall - Inches317
Width [transom] - Detailnot available
Width [transom] - Detail114 in. (2.89 m) amidship
Height - Detailnot available
Height - Detail123 in. (3.12 m) T-top
Height - Metersnot available
Height - Meters3.12
Height - Inchesnot available
Height - Inches123
Length [over all with swim platform]not available
Length [over all with swim platform]29 ft. 2 in. (8.89 m)
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail103 gal.
Fuel tank capacity - Detail125 gal. (473 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters389.9
Fuel tank capacity - Liters473.18
Fuel tank capacity - Gal103
Fuel tank capacity - Gal125
Drive typeInboard
Drive typeInboard
Engine makenot available
Engine makeIndmar
Engine modelnot available
Engine modelMCX 5.7 l 350 CID V-8, 312 hp (230 kW) L96 6.0 l V-8, 386 hp (284 kW)
Fuel typenot available
Fuel typeGas
Operational Info
Maximum capacity2,300 lbs.
Maximum capacityYacht Certified; no capacity rating
Maximum people15
Maximum peoplenot available
Body / Hull
Hull materialnot available
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull typenot available
Hull typeModified Vee
Trailer Info
Trailer - Length over allnot available
Trailer - Length over all32 ft. 2 in. (9.8 m)
Trailer - Weightnot available
Trailer - Weight1,250 lbs. (567 kg)
Trailer - Widthnot available
Trailer - Width114 in. (2.89 m)