Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
MasterCraft 280 SST 2008 vs Mastercraft Prostar 2023: Same Brand, Different Boat
The MasterCraft 280 SST 2008 vs Mastercraft Prostar 2023 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 2008 measures 28,0 feet overall (2008), giving it roughly 8,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Mastercraft Prostar 2023 at 20,0 feet (2023). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the MasterCraft 280 SST 2008 tips the scales at 6 200 lbs - 2 900 lbs more than the Mastercraft Prostar 2023 at 3 300 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 2008 is rated for 15 passengers, while the Mastercraft Prostar 2023 caps at 6. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the MasterCraft 280 SST 2008 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the MasterCraft 280 SST 2008 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 Prostar 2023 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 6 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
MakeMasterCraft
Makenot available
Model280 SST
Modelnot available
Model Year2008
Model Yearnot available
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam9 ft. 6 in.
Beam96.00 ft
Beam - Meters2.9
Beam - Meters29.26
Beam - Inches114
Beam - Inches1152
Depth - DetailTransom: 34 in. Amidship: 37 in.
Depth - Detailnot available
Depth - Centimeters93.98
Depth - Centimetersnot available
Depth - Inches37
Depth - Inchesnot available
Draft [max] - Detail29 in.
Draft [max] - Detail22.00 ft
Draft [max] - Meters0.74
Draft [max] - Meters6.71
Draft [max] - Inches29
Draft [max] - Inches264
Weight - Detail6,200 lbs.
Weight - Detailnot available
Weight - kg2812.27
Weight - kgnot available
Weight - lbs.6200
Weight - lbs.not available
Length - Feet28
Length - Feet20
Length - Inches3
Length - Inchesnot available
Length overall - Detail28 ft. 3 in.
Length overall - Detail20.00 ft
Length overall - Meters8.61
Length overall - Meters6.1
Length overall - Inches339
Length overall - Inches240
Displacementnot available
Displacement3300.00 lbs
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialnot available
Hull typeModified Vee
Hull typenot available
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail100 gal.
Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Liters378.54
Fuel tank capacity - Liters113.56
Fuel tank capacity - Gal100
Fuel tank capacity - Gal30
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typenot available
Drive typeInboard
Drive typenot available
Operational Info
Maximum capacity2,300 lbs.
Maximum capacitynot available
Maximum people15
Maximum peoplenot available
Boat typenot available
Boat typePower
Trailer Info
Trailer - WeightTandem-axle: 1,180 lbs.
Trailer - Weightnot available