Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
MasterCraft 280 STS 2006 vs MasterCraft X-2 2011: Same Brand, Different Boat
The MasterCraft 280 STS 2006 vs MasterCraft X-2 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 STS 2006 measures 28,0 feet overall (2006), giving it roughly 8,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the MasterCraft X-2 2011 at 20,0 feet (2011). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the MasterCraft 280 STS 2006 tips the scales at 6 200 lbs - 2 700 lbs more than the MasterCraft X-2 2011 at 3 500 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-2 2011 caps at 11. 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-2 2011 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 11 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 26.5 in. (0.67 m) amidship
Depth - Centimeters93.98
Depth - Centimeters71.12
Depth - Inches37
Depth - Inches28
Draft [max] - Detail29 in.
Draft [max] - Detail27 in. (0.69 m)
Draft [max] - Meters0.74
Draft [max] - Meters0.69
Draft [max] - Inches29
Draft [max] - Inches27
Weight - Detail6,200 lbs.
Weight - Detail3,500 lbs. (1,588 kg)
Weight - kg2812.27
Weight - kg1587.57
Weight - lbs.6200
Weight - lbs.3500
Length - Feet28
Length - Feet20
Length - Inches3
Length - Inchesnot available
Length overall - Detail28 ft. 3 in.
Length overall - Detail20 ft. (6.1 m)
Length overall - Meters8.61
Length overall - Meters6.1
Length overall - Inches339
Length overall - Inches240
Width [transom] - Detailnot available
Width [transom] - Detail96 in. (2.44 m) amidship
Height - Detailnot available
Height - Detail105 in. (2.67 m) standard tower to lowest point on keel
Height - Metersnot available
Height - Meters2.67
Height - Inchesnot available
Height - Inches105
Length [over all with swim platform]not available
Length [over all with swim platform]22 ft. 1 in. (6.73 m)
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail103 gal.
Fuel tank capacity - Detail45 gal. (170 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters389.9
Fuel tank capacity - Liters170.34
Fuel tank capacity - Gal103
Fuel tank capacity - Gal45
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) Ilmore: 5.7 l V-8, 325 hp (239 kW) Ilmore: 6.0 l V-8, 386 hp (284 kW)
Fuel typenot available
Fuel typeGas
Operational Info
Maximum capacity2,300 lbs.
Maximum capacity1,609 lbs. (730 kg)
Maximum people15
Maximum people11
Body / Hull
Hull materialnot available
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull typenot available
Hull typeModified Vee
Trailer Info
Trailer - Length over allnot available
Trailer - Length over all22 ft. 6 in. (6.6 m) 20 ft. 9 in. (6.3 m) swing away tongue
Trailer - Weightnot available
Trailer - Weight935 lbs. (424 kg) single axle 1,100 lbs. (499 kg) tandem axle
Trailer - Widthnot available
Trailer - Width99 in. (2.5 m) single axle 100 in. (2.54 m) tandem axle