Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
MasterCraft 280 SST 2008 vs MasterCraft X-Star 2005: Same Brand, Different Boat
The MasterCraft 280 SST 2008 vs MasterCraft X-Star 2005 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 6,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the MasterCraft X-Star 2005 at 22,0 feet (2005). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the MasterCraft 280 SST 2008 tips the scales at 6 200 lbs - 2 000 lbs more than the MasterCraft X-Star 2005 at 4 200 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 2008 is rated for 15 passengers, while the MasterCraft X-Star 2005 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 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 X-Star 2005 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
MakeMasterCraft
Model Year2008
Model Year2005
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 - DetailTransom: 28 in. (.71 m) Amidship: 32 in. (.81 m)
Depth - Centimeters93.98
Depth - Centimeters81.28
Depth - Inches37
Depth - Inches32
Draft [max] - Detail29 in.
Draft [max] - Detail28 in. (.71 m)
Draft [max] - Meters0.74
Draft [max] - Meters0.71
Draft [max] - Inches29
Draft [max] - Inches28
Weight - Detail6,200 lbs.
Weight - Detail4,200 lbs. (1,905.09 kg)
Weight - kg2812.27
Weight - kg1905.09
Weight - lbs.6200
Weight - lbs.4200
Length - Feet28
Length - Feet22
Length - Inches3
Length - Inches3
Length overall - Detail28 ft. 3 in.
Length overall - Detail22 ft. 3 in. (6.78 m)
Length overall - Meters8.61
Length overall - Meters6.78
Length overall - Inches339
Length overall - Inches267
Width [transom] - Detailnot available
Width [transom] - DetailWidth amidship: 100 in. (2.54 m)
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Meters6.78
Length [over all with swim platform]not available
Length [over all with swim platform]27 ft. (7.47 m)
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialnot available
Hull typeModified Vee
Hull typenot available
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail100 gal.
Fuel tank capacity - Detail57 gal. (215.77 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters378.54
Fuel tank capacity - Liters215.77
Fuel tank capacity - Gal100
Fuel tank capacity - Gal57
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typenot available
Drive typeInboard
Drive typeInboard
Operational Info
Maximum capacity2,300 lbs.
Maximum capacity1,770 lbs (803 kg)
Maximum people15
Maximum people12
Trailer Info
Trailer - WeightTandem-axle: 1,180 lbs.
Trailer - Weightnot available
Trailer - Length over allnot available
Trailer - Length over all25 ft. (7.62 m) W/Pivot Tongue Folded: 23 ft. 5 in.(7.14 m)
Trailer - Widthnot available
Trailer - WidthTandem-axle: 106 in. (2.69 m)