MasterCraft 280 STS 2007 vs MasterCraft X-30 2012 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat - the MasterCraft 280 STS 2007 or the MasterCraft X-30 2012?

The MasterCraft 280 STS 2007 is the longer of the two at 28,0 feet overall. The MasterCraft X-30 2012 comes in at 23,3 feet, making it roughly 4,7 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 X-30 2012?

For trailering, the MasterCraft X-30 2012 has the edge at 4 350 lbs dry weight versus 6 200 lbs for the MasterCraft 280 STS 2007. 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 X-30 2012 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: Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The MasterCraft 280 STS 2007 measures 114" wide, compared to 102" for the MasterCraft X-30 2012. 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 X-30 2012?

The MasterCraft 280 STS 2007 has the bigger tank at 110 gallons, versus 60 gallons on the MasterCraft X-30 2012. That 50-gallon difference translates to roughly 150–250 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the MasterCraft 280 STS 2007 and MasterCraft X-30 2012 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the MasterCraft 280 STS 2007 and the MasterCraft X-30 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 X-30 2012

MasterCraft

MasterCraft 280 STS 2007

2007

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MasterCraft

MasterCraft X-30 2012

2012

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

MasterCraft 280 STS 2007 vs MasterCraft X-30 2012: Same Brand, Different Boat

The MasterCraft 280 STS 2007 vs MasterCraft X-30 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 4,7 additional feet of deck space compared to the MasterCraft X-30 2012 at 23,3 feet (2012). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the MasterCraft 280 STS 2007 tips the scales at 6 200 lbs - 1 850 lbs more than the MasterCraft X-30 2012 at 4 350 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-30 2012 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 X-30 2012 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the MasterCraft X-30 2012 if your priority is putting more people on the water - it handles 16 passengers and at 23,3 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

ModelX-30

Model Year2007

Model Year2012

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam9 ft. 6 in.

Beam102 in. (2.59 m)

Beam - Meters2.9

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Inches114

Beam - Inches102

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] - Detail29 in. (0.73 m)

Draft [max] - Meters0.74

Draft [max] - Inches29

Weight - Detail6,200 lbs.

Weight - Detail4,350 lbs. (1,973 kg)

Weight - kg2812.27

Weight - kg1973.13

Weight - lbs.6200

Weight - lbs.4350

Length - Feet28

Length - Feet23.33

Length - Inches3

Length - Inchesnot available

Length overall - Detail28 ft. 3 in.

Length overall - Detail23 ft. 4 in. (7.11 m)

Length overall - Meters8.61

Length overall - Meters7.11

Length overall - Inches339

Length overall - Inches280

Length [over all with swim platform]not available

Length [over all with swim platform]25 ft. 7 in. (7.83 m)

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail110 gal.

Fuel tank capacity - Detail60 gal. (227 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters416.4

Fuel tank capacity - Liters227.12

Fuel tank capacity - Gal110

Fuel tank capacity - Gal60

Fuel typeGas

Drive typeInboard

Drive typenot available

Operational Info

HeadEnclosed

Headnot available

Maximum capacitynot available

Maximum capacity2,250 lbs. (1,021 kg)

Maximum peoplenot available

Maximum people16

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 X-30 2012 - Common Questions

Which is the larger boat - the MasterCraft 280 STS 2007 or the MasterCraft X-30 2012?

The MasterCraft 280 STS 2007 is the longer of the two at 28,0 feet overall. The MasterCraft X-30 2012 comes in at 23,3 feet, making it roughly 4,7 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 X-30 2012?

For trailering, the MasterCraft X-30 2012 has the edge at 4 350 lbs dry weight versus 6 200 lbs for the MasterCraft 280 STS 2007. 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 X-30 2012 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.

Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The MasterCraft 280 STS 2007 measures 114" wide, compared to 102" for the MasterCraft X-30 2012. 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 X-30 2012?

The MasterCraft 280 STS 2007 has the bigger tank at 110 gallons, versus 60 gallons on the MasterCraft X-30 2012. That 50-gallon difference translates to roughly 150–250 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the MasterCraft 280 STS 2007 and MasterCraft X-30 2012 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the MasterCraft 280 STS 2007 and the MasterCraft X-30 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 X-30 2012 full specs