MasterCraft 280 STS 2007 vs MasterCraft CSX 265 2008 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the MasterCraft 280 STS 2007 or the MasterCraft CSX 265 2008?

The MasterCraft 280 STS 2007 is the longer of the two at 28,0 feet overall. The MasterCraft CSX 265 2008 comes in at 26,0 feet, making it roughly 2,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the MasterCraft 280 STS 2007 or the MasterCraft CSX 265 2008?

For trailering, the MasterCraft 280 STS 2007 has the edge at 62 lbs dry weight versus 775 lbs for the MasterCraft CSX 265 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 STS 2007 is Coast Guard rated for 8 passengers, while the MasterCraft CSX 265 2008 is certified for 16. 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: Do these boats require an oversize trailer permit to tow on US highways?

Both the MasterCraft 280 STS 2007 and MasterCraft CSX 265 2008 share an 9 ft. 6 in beam — meaning both sit right at the 8’6" threshold that most US states use for standard-width loads. In most states you can tow at that width without a special permit, but regulations vary. Always check the rules for your state and any states you'll be passing through before your first long haul.

Q: Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the MasterCraft 280 STS 2007 or the MasterCraft CSX 265 2008?

The MasterCraft CSX 265 2008 has the bigger tank at 125 gallons, versus 11 gallons on the MasterCraft 280 STS 2007. That 114-gallon difference translates to roughly 342–570 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the MasterCraft 280 STS 2007 and MasterCraft CSX 265 2008 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the MasterCraft 280 STS 2007 and the MasterCraft CSX 265 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 STS 2007 vs MasterCraft CSX 265 2008

MasterCraft

MasterCraft 280 STS 2007

2007

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MasterCraft

MasterCraft CSX 265 2008

2008

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

MasterCraft 280 STS 2007 vs MasterCraft CSX 265 2008 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The MasterCraft 280 STS 2007 vs MasterCraft CSX 265 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.

On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — MasterCraft 280 STS 2007 at 28,0 ft versus MasterCraft CSX 265 2008 at 26,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the MasterCraft CSX 265 2008 tips the scales at 775 lbs — 713 lbs less than the MasterCraft 280 STS 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 CSX 265 2008 is rated for 16 passengers, while the MasterCraft 280 STS 2007 caps at 8. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the MasterCraft CSX 265 2008 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the MasterCraft CSX 265 2008 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 16 passengers and at 26,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The MasterCraft 280 STS 2007 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 8 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeMasterCraft

Model280 STS

ModelCSX 265

Model Year2007

Model Year2008

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam9 ft. 6 in

Beam114 in. (2.09 m)

Beam - Meters2.9

Beam - Inches114

Depth - DetailTransom: 34 in. Amidship: 37 in

Depth - DetailTransom: 32 in. Amidship: 25 in

Depth - Centimeters93.98

Depth - Centimeters81.28

Depth - Inches37

Depth - Inches32

Draft [max] - Detail29 in

Draft [max] - Detail32 in

Draft [max] - Meters0.74

Draft [max] - Meters0.81

Draft [max] - Inches29

Draft [max] - Inches32

Weight - Detail6,200 lbs

Weight - Detail7,750 lbs. (3,515 kg)

Weight - kg2812.27

Weight - kg3515.34

Weight - lbs.62

Weight - lbs.775

Length - Feet28

Length - Feet26

Length - Inches3

Length - Inches5

Length overall - Detail28 ft. 3 in

Length overall - Detail26 ft. 5 in

Length overall - Meters8.61

Length overall - Meters8.05

Length overall - Inches339

Length overall - Inches317

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Meters8.05

Length [over all with swim platform]not available

Length [over all with swim platform]29 ft. 6 in

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail110 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Detail125 gal. (473 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters416.4

Fuel tank capacity - Liters473.18

Fuel tank capacity - Gal11

Fuel tank capacity - Gal125

Fuel typeGas

Drive typeInboard

Operational Info

HeadEnclosed

Headnot available

Maximum peoplenot available

Maximum people16 (yacht)

Trailer Info

Trailer - WeightTandem-axle: 1,180 lbs

Trailer - WeightTandem-axle: 1,250 lbs

Trailer - Length over allnot available

Trailer - Length over all32 ft. 2 in

Trailer - Widthnot available

Trailer - WidthTandem-axle: 114 in

Body / Hull

Hull materialnot available

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typenot available

Hull typeModified Vee

MasterCraft 280 STS 2007 vs MasterCraft CSX 265 2008 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the MasterCraft 280 STS 2007 or the MasterCraft CSX 265 2008?

The MasterCraft 280 STS 2007 is the longer of the two at 28,0 feet overall. The MasterCraft CSX 265 2008 comes in at 26,0 feet, making it roughly 2,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which is easier to trailer — the MasterCraft 280 STS 2007 or the MasterCraft CSX 265 2008?

For trailering, the MasterCraft 280 STS 2007 has the edge at 62 lbs dry weight versus 775 lbs for the MasterCraft CSX 265 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 STS 2007 is Coast Guard rated for 8 passengers, while the MasterCraft CSX 265 2008 is certified for 16. 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.

Do these boats require an oversize trailer permit to tow on US highways?

Both the MasterCraft 280 STS 2007 and MasterCraft CSX 265 2008 share an 9 ft. 6 in beam — meaning both sit right at the 8’6" threshold that most US states use for standard-width loads. In most states you can tow at that width without a special permit, but regulations vary. Always check the rules for your state and any states you'll be passing through before your first long haul.

Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the MasterCraft 280 STS 2007 or the MasterCraft CSX 265 2008?

The MasterCraft CSX 265 2008 has the bigger tank at 125 gallons, versus 11 gallons on the MasterCraft 280 STS 2007. That 114-gallon difference translates to roughly 342–570 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the MasterCraft 280 STS 2007 and MasterCraft CSX 265 2008 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the MasterCraft 280 STS 2007 and the MasterCraft CSX 265 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 STS 2007 full specs ← MasterCraft CSX 265 2008 full specs