MasterCraft 280 STS 2007 vs MasterCraft X-StarSS 2009 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat - the MasterCraft 280 STS 2007 or the MasterCraft X-StarSS 2009?

The MasterCraft 280 STS 2007 is the longer of the two at 28,0 feet overall. The MasterCraft X-StarSS 2009 comes in at 22,0 feet, making it roughly 6,0 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 X-StarSS 2009?

For trailering, the MasterCraft X-StarSS 2009 has the edge at 4 250 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-StarSS 2009 is certified for 12. 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 100" for the MasterCraft X-StarSS 2009. 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-StarSS 2009?

The MasterCraft 280 STS 2007 has the bigger tank at 110 gallons, versus 53 gallons on the MasterCraft X-StarSS 2009. That 57-gallon difference translates to roughly 171–285 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the MasterCraft 280 STS 2007 and MasterCraft X-StarSS 2009 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the MasterCraft 280 STS 2007 and the MasterCraft X-StarSS 2009 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-StarSS 2009

MasterCraft

MasterCraft 280 STS 2007

2007

View full specs →

MasterCraft

MasterCraft X-StarSS 2009

2009

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

MasterCraft 280 STS 2007 vs MasterCraft X-StarSS 2009: Same Brand, Different Boat

The MasterCraft 280 STS 2007 vs MasterCraft X-StarSS 2009 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 6,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the MasterCraft X-StarSS 2009 at 22,0 feet (2009). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the MasterCraft 280 STS 2007 tips the scales at 6 200 lbs - 1 950 lbs more than the MasterCraft X-StarSS 2009 at 4 250 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-StarSS 2009 is rated for 12 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-StarSS 2009 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the MasterCraft X-StarSS 2009 if your priority is putting more people on the water - it handles 12 passengers and at 22,0 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

ModelX-StarSS

Model Year2007

Model Year2009

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam9 ft. 6 in.

Beam100 in.

Beam - Meters2.9

Beam - Meters2.54

Beam - Inches114

Beam - Inches100

Depth - DetailTransom: 34 in. Amidship: 37 in.

Depth - DetailTransom: 28 in. Amidship: 32 in.

Depth - Centimeters93.98

Depth - Centimeters81.28

Depth - Inches37

Depth - Inches32

Draft [max] - Detail29 in.

Draft [max] - Detail28 in.

Draft [max] - Meters0.74

Draft [max] - Meters0.71

Draft [max] - Inches29

Draft [max] - Inches28

Weight - Detail6,200 lbs.

Weight - Detail4,250 lbs.

Weight - kg2812.27

Weight - kg1927.77

Weight - lbs.6200

Weight - lbs.4250

Length - Feet28

Length - Feet22

Length - Inches3

Length overall - Detail28 ft. 3 in.

Length overall - Detail22 ft. 3 in.

Length overall - Meters8.61

Length overall - Meters6.78

Length overall - Inches339

Length overall - Inches267

Length [over all with swim platform]not available

Length [over all with swim platform]24 ft. 5 in.

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail110 gal.

Fuel tank capacity - Detail53 gal.

Fuel tank capacity - Liters416.4

Fuel tank capacity - Liters200.63

Fuel tank capacity - Gal110

Fuel tank capacity - Gal53

Fuel typeGas

Drive typeInboard

Operational Info

HeadEnclosed

Headnot available

Maximum capacitynot available

Maximum capacity1,770 lbs.

Maximum peoplenot available

Maximum people12

Trailer Info

Trailer - WeightTandem-axle: 1,180 lbs.

Trailer - WeightTandem-axle: 1,240 lbs.

Trailer - Length over allnot available

Trailer - Length over all25 ft. 5 in. Swing Away Tongue Folded: 24 ft.

Body / Hull

Hull materialnot available

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typenot available

Hull typeModified Vee

MasterCraft 280 STS 2007 vs MasterCraft X-StarSS 2009 - Common Questions

Which is the larger boat - the MasterCraft 280 STS 2007 or the MasterCraft X-StarSS 2009?

The MasterCraft 280 STS 2007 is the longer of the two at 28,0 feet overall. The MasterCraft X-StarSS 2009 comes in at 22,0 feet, making it roughly 6,0 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 X-StarSS 2009?

For trailering, the MasterCraft X-StarSS 2009 has the edge at 4 250 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-StarSS 2009 is certified for 12. 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 100" for the MasterCraft X-StarSS 2009. 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-StarSS 2009?

The MasterCraft 280 STS 2007 has the bigger tank at 110 gallons, versus 53 gallons on the MasterCraft X-StarSS 2009. That 57-gallon difference translates to roughly 171–285 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the MasterCraft 280 STS 2007 and MasterCraft X-StarSS 2009 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the MasterCraft 280 STS 2007 and the MasterCraft X-StarSS 2009 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-StarSS 2009 full specs