Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
MasterCraft 280 STS 2007 vs MasterCraft X-35 2012 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The MasterCraft 280 STS 2007 vs MasterCraft X-35 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 4,6 additional feet of deck space compared to the MasterCraft X-35 2012 at 23,4 feet (2012). At 62 lbs and 49 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 X-35 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-35 2012 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the MasterCraft X-35 2012 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 16 passengers and at 23,4 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 - Detail34 in. (0.86 m) transom 27 in. (0.69 m) amidship
Depth - Centimeters93.98
Depth - Centimeters86.36
Depth - Inches37
Depth - Inches34
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 - Detail4,900 lbs. (2,223 kg)
Weight - kg2812.27
Weight - kg2222.6
Weight - lbs.62
Weight - lbs.49
Length - Feet28
Length - Feet23.42
Length - Inches3
Length - Inchesnot available
Length overall - Detail28 ft. 3 in
Length overall - Detail23 ft. 5 in. (7.14 m)
Length overall - Meters8.61
Length overall - Meters7.14
Length overall - Inches339
Length overall - Inches281
Width [transom] - Detailnot available
Width [transom] - Detail102 in. (2.59 m) amidship
Height - Detailnot available
Height - Detail113 in. (2.87 m) standard tower to lowest point on keel 41 in. tow bar height to waterline
Height - Metersnot available
Height - Meters2.87
Height - Inchesnot available
Height - Inches113
Length [over all with swim platform]not available
Length [over all with swim platform]25 ft. 1 in. (7.654 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 - Gal11
Fuel tank capacity - Gal6
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) 6.2 l V-8, 430 hp (321 kW) 7.4 l V-8, 523 hp (390 kW)
Operational Info
HeadEnclosed
Headnot available
Maximum capacitynot available
Maximum capacity2,400 lbs. (1,089 kg)
Maximum peoplenot available
Maximum people16
Trailer Info
Trailer - WeightTandem-axle: 1,180 lbs
Trailer - Weight1,250 lbs. (567 kg)
Trailer - Length over allnot available
Trailer - Length over all26 ft. (7.9 m) 23 ft. 6 in. (7.16 m) swing away tongue
Body / Hull
Hull materialnot available
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull typenot available
Hull typeModified Vee