MasterCraft 280 SST 2007 vs MasterCraft X-Star 2008 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the MasterCraft 280 SST 2007 or the MasterCraft X-Star 2008?

The MasterCraft 280 SST 2007 is the longer of the two at 28,0 feet overall. The MasterCraft X-Star 2008 comes in at 22,0 feet, making it roughly 6,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the MasterCraft 280 SST 2007 or the MasterCraft X-Star 2008?

For trailering, the MasterCraft 280 SST 2007 has the edge at 62 lbs dry weight versus 425 lbs for the MasterCraft X-Star 2008. 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.

Q: How many people can each boat hold?

The MasterCraft 280 SST 2007 is Coast Guard rated for 15 passengers, while the MasterCraft X-Star 2008 is certified for 12. 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.

Q: Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The MasterCraft 280 SST 2007 measures 114" wide, compared to 1" for the MasterCraft X-Star 2008. The US standard-width towing limit is 8’6" (102") in most states — anything over that may need a wide-load permit. Confirm your specific route requirements with each state's DOT.

Q: Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the MasterCraft 280 SST 2007 or the MasterCraft X-Star 2008?

The MasterCraft 280 SST 2007 has the bigger tank at 103 gallons, versus 53 gallons on the MasterCraft X-Star 2008. That 50-gallon difference translates to roughly 150–250 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the MasterCraft 280 SST 2007 and MasterCraft X-Star 2008 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the MasterCraft 280 SST 2007 and the MasterCraft X-Star 2008 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.

Boat Comparison

MasterCraft 280 SST 2007 vs MasterCraft X-Star 2008

MasterCraft

MasterCraft 280 SST 2007

2007

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MasterCraft

MasterCraft X-Star 2008

2008

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

MasterCraft 280 SST 2007 vs MasterCraft X-Star 2008 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The MasterCraft 280 SST 2007 vs MasterCraft X-Star 2008 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 2007 measures 28,0 feet overall (2007), giving it roughly 6,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the MasterCraft X-Star 2008 at 22,0 feet (2008). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the MasterCraft X-Star 2008 tips the scales at 425 lbs — 363 lbs less than the MasterCraft 280 SST 2007 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 280 SST 2007 is rated for 15 passengers, while the MasterCraft X-Star 2008 caps at 12. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the MasterCraft 280 SST 2007 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the MasterCraft 280 SST 2007 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 X-Star 2008 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 12 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeMasterCraft

Model280 SST

ModelX-Star

Model Year2007

Model Year2008

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam9 ft. 6 in

Beam100 in

Beam - Meters2.9

Beam - Meters2.54

Beam - Inches114

Beam - Inches1

Depth - DetailTransom: 34 in. Amidship: 37 in

Depth - DetailTransom: 30 in. Amidship: 32 in

Depth - Centimeters93.98

Depth - Centimeters81.28

Depth - Inches37

Depth - Inches32

Draft [max] - Detail29 in

Draft [max] - Detail28 in

Draft [max] - Meters0.74

Draft [max] - Meters0.71

Draft [max] - Inches29

Draft [max] - Inches28

Weight - Detail6,200 lbs

Weight - Detail4,250 lbs

Weight - kg2812.27

Weight - kg1927.77

Weight - lbs.62

Weight - lbs.425

Length - Feet28

Length - Feet22

Length - Inches3

Length overall - Detail28 ft. 3 in

Length overall - Detail22 ft. 3 in

Length overall - Meters8.61

Length overall - Meters6.78

Length overall - Inches339

Length overall - Inches267

Length [over all with swim platform]not available

Length [over all with swim platform]24 ft. 5 in

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail103 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Detail53 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Liters389.9

Fuel tank capacity - Liters200.63

Fuel tank capacity - Gal103

Fuel tank capacity - Gal53

Fuel typeGas

Drive typeInboard

Operational Info

Maximum capacity2,300 lbs

Maximum capacity1,770 lbs

Maximum people15

Maximum people12

Trailer Info

Trailer - WeightTandem-axle: 1,180 lbs

Trailer - WeightTandem-axle: 1,240 lbs

Trailer - Length over allnot available

Trailer - Length over all25 ft. 5 in. w/ Swing Away Tongue Folded: 24 ft

Body / Hull

Hull materialnot available

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typenot available

Hull typeModified Vee

MasterCraft 280 SST 2007 vs MasterCraft X-Star 2008 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the MasterCraft 280 SST 2007 or the MasterCraft X-Star 2008?

The MasterCraft 280 SST 2007 is the longer of the two at 28,0 feet overall. The MasterCraft X-Star 2008 comes in at 22,0 feet, making it roughly 6,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which is easier to trailer — the MasterCraft 280 SST 2007 or the MasterCraft X-Star 2008?

For trailering, the MasterCraft 280 SST 2007 has the edge at 62 lbs dry weight versus 425 lbs for the MasterCraft X-Star 2008. 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 2007 is Coast Guard rated for 15 passengers, while the MasterCraft X-Star 2008 is certified for 12. 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 is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The MasterCraft 280 SST 2007 measures 114" wide, compared to 1" for the MasterCraft X-Star 2008. The US standard-width towing limit is 8’6" (102") in most states — anything over that may need a wide-load permit. Confirm your specific route requirements with each state's DOT.

Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the MasterCraft 280 SST 2007 or the MasterCraft X-Star 2008?

The MasterCraft 280 SST 2007 has the bigger tank at 103 gallons, versus 53 gallons on the MasterCraft X-Star 2008. That 50-gallon difference translates to roughly 150–250 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the MasterCraft 280 SST 2007 and MasterCraft X-Star 2008 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the MasterCraft 280 SST 2007 and the MasterCraft X-Star 2008 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.

← MasterCraft 280 SST 2007 full specs ← MasterCraft X-Star 2008 full specs