MasterCraft 280 STS 2007 vs MasterCraft MasterCraft 300 2012 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the MasterCraft 280 STS 2007 or the MasterCraft MasterCraft 300 2012?

The MasterCraft MasterCraft 300 2012 is the longer of the two at 33,8 feet overall. The MasterCraft 280 STS 2007 comes in at 28,0 feet, making it roughly 5,8 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 MasterCraft 300 2012?

For trailering, the MasterCraft 280 STS 2007 has the edge at 62 lbs dry weight versus 125 lbs for the MasterCraft MasterCraft 300 2012. 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 MasterCraft 300 2012 is certified for 10. 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: Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The MasterCraft MasterCraft 300 2012 measures 132" wide, compared to 114" for the MasterCraft 280 STS 2007. The US standard-width towing limit is 8’6" (102") in most states — anything over that may need a wide-load permit. Confirm your specific route requirements with each state's DOT.

Q: Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the MasterCraft 280 STS 2007 or the MasterCraft MasterCraft 300 2012?

The MasterCraft 280 STS 2007 has the bigger tank at 11 gallons, versus 2 gallons on the MasterCraft MasterCraft 300 2012. That 9-gallon difference translates to roughly 27–45 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the MasterCraft 280 STS 2007 and MasterCraft MasterCraft 300 2012 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the MasterCraft 280 STS 2007 and the MasterCraft MasterCraft 300 2012 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 MasterCraft 300 2012

MasterCraft

MasterCraft 280 STS 2007

2007

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MasterCraft

MasterCraft MasterCraft 300 2012

2012

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

MasterCraft 280 STS 2007 vs MasterCraft MasterCraft 300 2012 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The MasterCraft 280 STS 2007 vs MasterCraft MasterCraft 300 2012 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 MasterCraft 300 2012 measures 33,8 feet overall (2012), giving it roughly 5,8 additional feet of deck space compared to the MasterCraft 280 STS 2007 at 28,0 feet (2007). At 62 lbs and 125 lbs respectively, both sit in a similar weight class — either should pair comfortably with most mid-size SUVs and half-ton trucks, though always confirm your specific tow rating with the motor added.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The MasterCraft MasterCraft 300 2012 is rated for 10 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 MasterCraft 300 2012 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the MasterCraft MasterCraft 300 2012 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 10 passengers and at 33,8 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

ModelMasterCraft 3

Model Year2007

Model Year2012

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam9 ft. 6 in

Beam11 ft. (3.35 m)

Beam - Meters2.9

Beam - Meters3.35

Beam - Inches114

Beam - Inches132

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] - Detail34 in. (0.86 m)

Draft [max] - Meters0.74

Draft [max] - Meters0.86

Draft [max] - Inches29

Draft [max] - Inches34

Weight - Detail6,200 lbs

Weight - Detail12,500 lbs. (5,670 kg)

Weight - kg2812.27

Weight - kg5669.9

Weight - lbs.62

Weight - lbs.125

Length - Feet28

Length - Feet33.75

Length - Inches3

Length - Inchesnot available

Length overall - Detail28 ft. 3 in

Length overall - Detail33 ft. 9 in. (10.3 m)

Length overall - Meters8.61

Length overall - Meters10.29

Length overall - Inches339

Length overall - Inches405

Deadrisenot available

Deadrise20° midship 16° transom

Length [over all with swim platform]not available

Length [over all with swim platform]30 ft. 4 in. (9.25 m)

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail110 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Detail200 gal. (757 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters416.4

Fuel tank capacity - Liters757.08

Fuel tank capacity - Gal11

Fuel tank capacity - Gal2

Fuel typeGas

Fuel typeGas or Diesel

Drive typeInboard

Drive typeInboard - Twin

Engine makenot available

Engine makeIlmor

Engine modelnot available

Engine model5.7 l V-8, 320 hp (239 kW) 6.0 l V-8, 382 hp (285 kW) 6.2 l V-8, 430 hp (321 kW)

Operational Info

HeadEnclosed

Headnot available

Water capacitynot available

Water capacity30 gal. (114 l)

Trailer Info

Trailer - WeightTandem-axle: 1,180 lbs

Trailer - Weightnot available

Body / Hull

Hull materialnot available

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typenot available

Hull typeModified Vee

MasterCraft 280 STS 2007 vs MasterCraft MasterCraft 300 2012 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the MasterCraft 280 STS 2007 or the MasterCraft MasterCraft 300 2012?

The MasterCraft MasterCraft 300 2012 is the longer of the two at 33,8 feet overall. The MasterCraft 280 STS 2007 comes in at 28,0 feet, making it roughly 5,8 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 MasterCraft 300 2012?

For trailering, the MasterCraft 280 STS 2007 has the edge at 62 lbs dry weight versus 125 lbs for the MasterCraft MasterCraft 300 2012. 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 MasterCraft 300 2012 is certified for 10. 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 is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The MasterCraft MasterCraft 300 2012 measures 132" wide, compared to 114" for the MasterCraft 280 STS 2007. The US standard-width towing limit is 8’6" (102") in most states — anything over that may need a wide-load permit. Confirm your specific route requirements with each state's DOT.

Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the MasterCraft 280 STS 2007 or the MasterCraft MasterCraft 300 2012?

The MasterCraft 280 STS 2007 has the bigger tank at 11 gallons, versus 2 gallons on the MasterCraft MasterCraft 300 2012. That 9-gallon difference translates to roughly 27–45 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the MasterCraft 280 STS 2007 and MasterCraft MasterCraft 300 2012 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the MasterCraft 280 STS 2007 and the MasterCraft MasterCraft 300 2012 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 MasterCraft 300 2012 full specs