Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
MasterCraft 280 STS 2007 vs MasterCraft X-15 2012 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The MasterCraft 280 STS 2007 vs MasterCraft X-15 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 280 STS 2007 measures 28,0 feet overall (2007), giving it roughly 6,3 additional feet of deck space compared to the MasterCraft X-15 2012 at 21,7 feet (2012). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the MasterCraft X-15 2012 tips the scales at 3 575 lbs — 3 513 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 X-15 2012 is rated for 14 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 X-15 2012 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the MasterCraft X-15 2012 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 14 passengers and at 21,7 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
MakeMasterCraft
Model Year2007
Model Year2012
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. (0.71 m) transom 32 in. (0.81 m) amidship
Depth - Centimeters93.98
Depth - Centimeters81.28
Depth - Inches37
Depth - Inches32
Draft [max] - Detail29 in
Draft [max] - Detail26.5 in. (0.67 m)
Draft [max] - Meters0.74
Draft [max] - Meters0.69
Draft [max] - Inches29
Draft [max] - Inches26.5
Weight - Detail6,200 lbs
Weight - Detail3,575 lbs. (1,622 kg)
Weight - kg2812.27
Weight - kg1621.59
Weight - lbs.62
Weight - lbs.3575
Length - Feet28
Length - Feet21.67
Length - Inches3
Length - Inchesnot available
Length overall - Detail28 ft. 3 in
Length overall - Detail21 ft. 8 in. (6.6 m)
Length overall - Meters8.61
Length overall - Meters6.6
Length overall - Inches339
Length overall - Inches26
Width [transom] - Detailnot available
Width [transom] - Detail100 in. (2.54 m) amidship
Height - Detailnot available
Height - Detail107 in. (2.72 m) standard tower to lowest point on keel
Height - Metersnot available
Height - Meters2.72
Height - Inchesnot available
Height - Inches107
Length [over all with swim platform]not available
Length [over all with swim platform]23 ft. 9 in. (7.24 m)
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail110 gal
Fuel tank capacity - Detail45 gal. (170 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters416.4
Fuel tank capacity - Liters170.34
Fuel tank capacity - Gal11
Fuel tank capacity - Gal45
Drive typeInboard
Drive typeInboard
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)
Operational Info
HeadEnclosed
Headnot available
Maximum capacitynot available
Maximum capacity2,325 lbs. (1,055 kg)
Maximum peoplenot available
Maximum people14
Trailer Info
Trailer - WeightTandem-axle: 1,180 lbs
Trailer - Weight1,100 lbs. (499 kg)
Trailer - Length over allnot available
Trailer - Length over all24 ft. 4 in. (7.42 m) 22 ft. 2 in. (6.8 m) swing away tongue
Trailer - Widthnot available
Trailer - Width100 in. (2.54 m)
Body / Hull
Hull materialnot available
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull typenot available
Hull typeModified Vee