Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
MasterCraft 280V 2011 vs MasterCraft X-Star SS 2008 — 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-Star SS 2008 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 6,3 additional feet of deck space compared to the MasterCraft X-Star SS 2008 at 22,0 feet (2008). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the MasterCraft X-Star SS 2008 tips the scales at 425 lbs — 363 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-Star SS 2008 is rated for 12 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-Star SS 2008 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the MasterCraft X-Star SS 2008 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 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 Year2008
Measurements / Dimensions
Depth - Detail34 in. (0.86 m) transom 37 in. (0.94 m) amidship
Depth - DetailTransom: 30 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 - Detail4,250 lbs
Weight - kg2812.27
Weight - kg1927.77
Weight - lbs.62
Weight - lbs.425
Width [transom] - Detail9 ft. 6 in. (2.9 m) amidship
Width [transom] - Detailnot available
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 - Feet22
Length overall - Detail28 ft. 3 in. (8.6 m)
Length overall - Detail22 ft. 3 in
Length overall - Meters8.61
Length overall - Meters6.78
Length overall - Inches339
Length overall - Inches267
Beamnot available
Beam100 in
Beam - Metersnot available
Beam - Meters2.54
Beam - Inchesnot available
Beam - Inches1
Length - Inchesnot available
Length - Inches3
Length [over all with swim platform]not available
Length [over all with swim platform]24 ft. 5 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 - Detail53 gal
Fuel tank capacity - Liters378.54
Fuel tank capacity - Liters200.63
Fuel tank capacity - Gal1
Fuel tank capacity - Gal53
Drive typeInboard - Twin
Drive typeInboard
Operational Info
Maximum capacityYacht Certified, no capacity
Maximum capacity1,770 lbs
Maximum peoplenot available
Maximum people12
Trailer Info
Trailer - Weight1,180 lbs. (535 kg)
Trailer - WeightTandem-axle: 1,240 lbs
Trailer - Length over allnot available
Trailer - Length over all25 ft. 5 in. w/ Swing Away Tongue Folded: 24 ft. 0 in