MasterCraft 280 STS 2006 boat specs
MasterCraft
MasterCraft 280 STS 2006
2006
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VS
MasterCraft X-10 2005 boat specs
MasterCraft
MasterCraft X-10 2005
2005
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MasterCraft 280 STS 2006 vs MasterCraft X-10 2005 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The MasterCraft 280 STS 2006 vs MasterCraft X-10 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 STS 2006 measures 28,0 feet overall (2006), giving it roughly 26,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the MasterCraft X-10 2005 at 2,0 feet (2005). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the MasterCraft X-10 2005 tips the scales at 3 075 lbs — 3 013 lbs less than the MasterCraft 280 STS 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 280 STS 2006 is rated for 15 passengers, while the MasterCraft X-10 2005 caps at 1. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the MasterCraft 280 STS 2006 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the MasterCraft 280 STS 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 X-10 2005 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 1 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
MakeMasterCraft
MakeMasterCraft
Model280 STS
ModelX-1
Model Year2006
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: 27.5 in. (.70 m) Amidship: 26.5 in. (.67 m)
Depth - Centimeters93.98
Depth - Centimeters71.12
Depth - Inches37
Depth - Inches27.5
Draft [max] - Detail29 in
Draft [max] - Detail22.5 in. (.57 m)
Draft [max] - Meters0.74
Draft [max] - Meters0.58
Draft [max] - Inches29
Draft [max] - Inches22.5
Weight - Detail6,200 lbs
Weight - Detail3,075 lbs. (1,394.82 kg)
Weight - kg2812.27
Weight - kg1394.8
Weight - lbs.62
Weight - lbs.3075
Length - Feet28
Length - Feet2
Length - Inches3
Length - Inches9
Length overall - Detail28 ft. 3 in
Length overall - Detail20 ft. 9 in. (6.32 m)
Length overall - Meters8.61
Length overall - Meters6.32
Length overall - Inches339
Length overall - Inches249
Width [transom] - Detailnot available
Width [transom] - DetailWidth amidship: 95 in. (2.41 m)
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Meters6.32
Length [over all with swim platform]not available
Length [over all with swim platform]21 ft. (6.85 m)
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail103 gal
Fuel tank capacity - Detail45 gal. (170.33 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters389.9
Fuel tank capacity - Liters170.34
Fuel tank capacity - Gal103
Fuel tank capacity - Gal45
Drive typeInboard
Drive typeInboard
Operational Info
Maximum capacity2,300 lbs
Maximum capacity1,590 lbs (721 kg)
Maximum people15
Maximum people1
Trailer Info
Trailer - Length over allnot available
Trailer - Length over all22 ft. 11 in. (6.99 m) W/Pivot Tongue Folded: 21 ft. 2 in. (6.45 m)
Trailer - Widthnot available
Trailer - WidthSingle-axle: 98 in. (2.49 m) Tandem-axle: 100 in. (2.54 m)

MasterCraft 280 STS 2006 vs MasterCraft X-10 2005 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the MasterCraft 280 STS 2006 or the MasterCraft X-10 2005?
The MasterCraft 280 STS 2006 is the longer of the two at 28,0 feet overall. The MasterCraft X-10 2005 comes in at 2,0 feet, making it roughly 26,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.
Which is easier to trailer — the MasterCraft 280 STS 2006 or the MasterCraft X-10 2005?
For trailering, the MasterCraft 280 STS 2006 has the edge at 62 lbs dry weight versus 3 075 lbs for the MasterCraft X-10 2005. 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 STS 2006 is Coast Guard rated for 15 passengers, while the MasterCraft X-10 2005 is certified for 1. 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 has the larger fuel tank — the MasterCraft 280 STS 2006 or the MasterCraft X-10 2005?
The MasterCraft 280 STS 2006 has the bigger tank at 103 gallons, versus 45 gallons on the MasterCraft X-10 2005. That 58-gallon difference translates to roughly 174–290 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.
Are the MasterCraft 280 STS 2006 and MasterCraft X-10 2005 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the MasterCraft 280 STS 2006 and the MasterCraft X-10 2005 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.