MasterCraft 280 STS 2008 vs MasterCraft X-80 2006 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat - the MasterCraft 280 STS 2008 or the MasterCraft X-80 2006?

The MasterCraft X-80 2006 is the longer of the two at 28,0 feet overall. The MasterCraft 280 STS 2008 comes in at 28,0 feet, making it roughly 0,0 ft shorter - a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which is easier to trailer - the MasterCraft 280 STS 2008 or the MasterCraft X-80 2006?

For trailering, the MasterCraft 280 STS 2008 has the edge at 6 200 lbs dry weight versus 6 420 lbs for the MasterCraft X-80 2006. 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 2008 is Coast Guard rated for 8 passengers, while the MasterCraft X-80 2006 is certified for 15. 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: Do these boats require an oversize trailer permit to tow on US highways?

Both the MasterCraft 280 STS 2008 and MasterCraft X-80 2006 share an 9 ft. 6 in. beam - meaning both sit right at the 8’6" threshold that most US states use for standard-width loads. In most states you can tow at that width without a special permit, but regulations vary. Always check the rules for your state and any states you'll be passing through before your first long haul.

Q: Which boat has the larger fuel tank - the MasterCraft 280 STS 2008 or the MasterCraft X-80 2006?

The MasterCraft X-80 2006 has the bigger tank at 103 gallons, versus 100 gallons on the MasterCraft 280 STS 2008. That 3-gallon difference translates to roughly 9–15 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the MasterCraft 280 STS 2008 and MasterCraft X-80 2006 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the MasterCraft 280 STS 2008 and the MasterCraft X-80 2006 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 2008 vs MasterCraft X-80 2006

MasterCraft

MasterCraft 280 STS 2008

2008

View full specs →

MasterCraft

MasterCraft X-80 2006

2006

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

MasterCraft 280 STS 2008 vs MasterCraft X-80 2006: Same Brand, Different Boat

The MasterCraft 280 STS 2008 vs MasterCraft X-80 2006 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.

On paper these two are close siblings in the size department - MasterCraft 280 STS 2008 at 28,0 ft versus MasterCraft X-80 2006 at 28,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the MasterCraft X-80 2006 tips the scales at 6 420 lbs - 220 lbs less than the MasterCraft 280 STS 2008 at 6 200 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-80 2006 is rated for 15 passengers, while the MasterCraft 280 STS 2008 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-80 2006 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the MasterCraft X-80 2006 if your priority is putting more people on the water - it handles 15 passengers and at 28,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The MasterCraft 280 STS 2008 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-80

Model Year2008

Model Year2006

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam9 ft. 6 in.

Beam - Meters2.9

Beam - Inches114

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

Depth - Centimeters93.98

Depth - Inches37

Draft [max] - Detail29 in.

Draft [max] - Meters0.74

Draft [max] - Inches29

Weight - Detail6,200 lbs.

Weight - Detail6,420 lbs.

Weight - kg2812.27

Weight - kg2912.06

Weight - lbs.6200

Weight - lbs.6420

Length - Feet28

Length - Inches3

Length overall - Detail28 ft. 3 in.

Length overall - Meters8.61

Length overall - Inches339

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull materialnot available

Hull typeModified Vee

Hull typenot available

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail100 gal.

Fuel tank capacity - Detail103 gal.

Fuel tank capacity - Liters378.54

Fuel tank capacity - Liters389.9

Fuel tank capacity - Gal100

Fuel tank capacity - Gal103

Fuel typeGas

Fuel typenot available

Drive typeInboard

Trailer Info

Trailer - WeightTandem-axle: 1,180 lbs.

Trailer - Weightnot available

Operational Info

Maximum capacitynot available

Maximum capacity2,300 lbs.

Maximum peoplenot available

Maximum people15

MasterCraft 280 STS 2008 vs MasterCraft X-80 2006 - Common Questions

Which is the larger boat - the MasterCraft 280 STS 2008 or the MasterCraft X-80 2006?

The MasterCraft X-80 2006 is the longer of the two at 28,0 feet overall. The MasterCraft 280 STS 2008 comes in at 28,0 feet, making it roughly 0,0 ft shorter - a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which is easier to trailer - the MasterCraft 280 STS 2008 or the MasterCraft X-80 2006?

For trailering, the MasterCraft 280 STS 2008 has the edge at 6 200 lbs dry weight versus 6 420 lbs for the MasterCraft X-80 2006. 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 2008 is Coast Guard rated for 8 passengers, while the MasterCraft X-80 2006 is certified for 15. 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.

Do these boats require an oversize trailer permit to tow on US highways?

Both the MasterCraft 280 STS 2008 and MasterCraft X-80 2006 share an 9 ft. 6 in. beam - meaning both sit right at the 8’6" threshold that most US states use for standard-width loads. In most states you can tow at that width without a special permit, but regulations vary. Always check the rules for your state and any states you'll be passing through before your first long haul.

Which boat has the larger fuel tank - the MasterCraft 280 STS 2008 or the MasterCraft X-80 2006?

The MasterCraft X-80 2006 has the bigger tank at 103 gallons, versus 100 gallons on the MasterCraft 280 STS 2008. That 3-gallon difference translates to roughly 9–15 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the MasterCraft 280 STS 2008 and MasterCraft X-80 2006 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the MasterCraft 280 STS 2008 and the MasterCraft X-80 2006 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 2008 full specs ← MasterCraft X-80 2006 full specs