Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
MasterCraft 280V 2011 vs MasterCraft X-45SS 2009 — Which Modified Vee Fits Your Needs?
When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the MasterCraft 280V 2011 and the MasterCraft X-45SS 2009 are modified vee designs with fiberglass construction — the buying decision usually comes down to a handful of practical questions: how many people are you putting on the water, how far do you trailer, and what does your tow vehicle weigh?
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The MasterCraft 280V 2011 measures 28,3 feet overall (2011), giving it roughly 4,3 additional feet of deck space compared to the MasterCraft X-45SS 2009 at 24,0 feet (2009). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the MasterCraft X-45SS 2009 tips the scales at 495 lbs — 433 lbs less than the MasterCraft 280V 2011 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-45SS 2009 is rated for 18 passengers, while the MasterCraft 280V 2011 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-45SS 2009 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the MasterCraft X-45SS 2009 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 18 passengers and at 24,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The MasterCraft 280V 2011 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 Year2011
Model Year2009
Measurements / Dimensions
Depth - Detail34 in. (0.86 m) transom 37 in. (0.94 m) amidship
Depth - DetailTransom: 28 in. Amidship: 32 in
Depth - Centimeters93.98
Depth - Centimeters81.28
Depth - Inches37
Depth - Inches32
Draft [max] - Detail29 in. (0.7 m)
Draft [max] - Detail28 in
Draft [max] - Meters0.74
Draft [max] - Meters0.71
Draft [max] - Inches29
Draft [max] - Inches28
Weight - Detail6,200 lbs. (2,812 kg)
Weight - Detail4,950 lbs
Weight - kg2812.27
Weight - kg2245.28
Weight - lbs.62
Weight - lbs.495
Width [transom] - Detail9 ft. 6 in. (2.9 m) amidship
Width [transom] - DetailAmidship: 102 in
Height - Detail116 in. (2.9 m) standard tower to lowest point on keel
Height - Detailnot available
Height - Meters2.95
Height - Metersnot available
Height - Inches116
Height - Inchesnot available
Length - Feet28.25
Length - Feet24
Length overall - Detail28 ft. 3 in. (8.6 m)
Length overall - Detail24 ft. 2 in
Length overall - Meters8.61
Length overall - Meters7.37
Length overall - Inches339
Length overall - Inches29
Length - Inchesnot available
Length - Inches2
Length [over all with swim platform]not available
Length [over all with swim platform]26 ft. 3 in
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull typeModified Vee
Hull typeModified Vee
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine makeIndmar, Ilmore
Engine makenot available
Engine modelIndmar: MCX 5.7 l 350 CID V-8, 312 hp (230 kW) Indmar: L96 6.0 l V-8, 386 hp (284 kW) Ilmore: 5.7 l V-8, 325 hp (239 kW)
Engine modelnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Detail100 gal. (379 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail90 gal
Fuel tank capacity - Liters378.54
Fuel tank capacity - Liters340.69
Fuel tank capacity - Gal1
Fuel tank capacity - Gal9
Drive typeInboard - Twin
Drive typeInboard
Operational Info
Maximum capacityYacht Certified, no capacity
Maximum capacity2,928 lbs
Maximum peoplenot available
Maximum people18
Trailer Info
Trailer - Weight1,180 lbs. (535 kg)
Trailer - WeightTandem-axle: 1,480 lbs
Trailer - Length over allnot available
Trailer - Length over all26 ft. 11 in. Swing Away Tongue: 24 ft. 3 in
Trailer - Widthnot available
Trailer - WidthTandem-axle: 100 in