Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
MasterCraft 280 SST 2006 vs MasterCraft X-45 2011 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The MasterCraft 280 SST 2006 vs MasterCraft X-45 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 280 SST 2006 measures 28,0 feet overall (2006), giving it roughly 3,8 additional feet of deck space compared to the MasterCraft X-45 2011 at 24,2 feet (2011). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the MasterCraft X-45 2011 tips the scales at 495 lbs — 433 lbs less than the MasterCraft 280 SST 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 X-45 2011 is rated for 18 passengers, while the MasterCraft 280 SST 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 X-45 2011 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the MasterCraft X-45 2011 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 18 passengers and at 24,2 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The MasterCraft 280 SST 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 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 - Detail28 in. (0.7 m) transom 32 in. (0.8 m) amidship
Depth - Centimeters93.98
Depth - Centimeters81.28
Depth - Inches37
Depth - Inches32
Draft [max] - Detail29 in
Draft [max] - Detail28 in. (0.7 m)
Draft [max] - Meters0.74
Draft [max] - Meters0.71
Draft [max] - Inches29
Draft [max] - Inches28
Weight - Detail6,200 lbs
Weight - Detail4,950 lbs. (2,245 kg)
Weight - kg2812.27
Weight - kg2245.28
Weight - lbs.62
Weight - lbs.495
Length - Feet28
Length - Feet24.17
Length - Inches3
Length - Inchesnot available
Length overall - Detail28 ft. 3 in
Length overall - Detail24 ft. 2 in. (7.37 m)
Length overall - Meters8.61
Length overall - Meters7.37
Length overall - Inches339
Length overall - Inches29
Width [transom] - Detailnot available
Width [transom] - Detail102 in. (2.59 m) amidship
Height - Detailnot available
Height - Detail110.5 in. (2.8 m) standard tower to lowest point on keel
Height - Metersnot available
Height - Meters2.82
Height - Inchesnot available
Height - Inches110.5
Length [over all with swim platform]not available
Length [over all with swim platform]26 ft. 3 in. (8 m)
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail103 gal
Fuel tank capacity - Detail90 gal. (341 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters389.9
Fuel tank capacity - Liters340.69
Fuel tank capacity - Gal103
Fuel tank capacity - Gal9
Drive typeInboard
Drive typeInboard
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) Indmar: LSA 6.2 l V-8, 537 hp (395 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)
Fuel typenot available
Fuel typeGas
Operational Info
Maximum capacity2,300 lbs
Maximum capacity2,928 lbs. (1,328 kg)
Maximum people15
Maximum people18
Body / Hull
Hull materialnot available
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull typenot available
Hull typeModified Vee
Trailer Info
Trailer - Length over allnot available
Trailer - Length over all26 ft. 11 in. (8.2 m) 24 ft. 3 in. (7.4 m) swing away tongue
Trailer - Weightnot available
Trailer - Weight1,480 lbs. (671 kg)
Trailer - Widthnot available
Trailer - Width100 in. (2.54 m)