Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
MasterCraft MS280 2009 vs MasterCraft X-2 2012 — Which Modified Vee Fits Your Needs?
When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the MasterCraft MS280 2009 and the MasterCraft X-2 2012 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 MS280 2009 measures 28,0 feet overall (2009), giving it roughly 26,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the MasterCraft X-2 2012 at 2,0 feet (2012). At 62 lbs and 35 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-2 2012 is rated for 11 passengers, while the MasterCraft MS280 2009 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-2 2012 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the MasterCraft X-2 2012 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 11 passengers and at 2,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The MasterCraft MS280 2009 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 Year2009
Model Year2012
Measurements / Dimensions
Depth - DetailTransom: 34 in. Amidship: 37 in
Depth - Detail28 in. (0.7 m) transom 26.5 in. (0.67 m) amidship
Depth - Centimeters93.98
Depth - Centimeters71.12
Depth - Inches37
Depth - Inches28
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 - Detail3,500 lbs. (1,588 kg)
Weight - kg2812.27
Weight - kg1587.57
Weight - lbs.62
Weight - lbs.35
Width [transom] - DetailAmidship: 9 ft. 6 in
Width [transom] - Detail96 in. (2.44 m) amidship
Length - Feet28
Length - Feet2
Length - Inches3
Length - Inchesnot available
Length overall - Detail28 ft. 3 in
Length overall - Detail20 ft. (6.1 m)
Length overall - Meters8.61
Length overall - Meters6.1
Length overall - Inches339
Length overall - Inches24
Height - Detailnot available
Height - Detail105 in. (2.67 m) standard tower to lowest point on keel
Height - Metersnot available
Height - Meters2.67
Height - Inchesnot available
Height - Inches105
Length [over all with swim platform]not available
Length [over all with swim platform]22 ft. 1 in. (6.73 m)
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull typeModified Vee
Hull typeModified Vee
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail100 gal
Fuel tank capacity - Detail45 gal. (170 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters378.54
Fuel tank capacity - Liters170.34
Fuel tank capacity - Gal1
Fuel tank capacity - Gal45
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)
Operational Info
Maximum capacityYacht Certified - No Capacity
Maximum capacity1,609 lbs. (730 kg)
Maximum peoplenot available
Maximum people11
Trailer Info
Trailer - WeightTandem-axle: 1,180 lbs
Trailer - Weight935 lbs. (424 kg) single axle 1,100 lbs. (499 kg) tandem axle
Trailer - Length over allnot available
Trailer - Length over all22 ft. 6 in. (6.6 m) 20 ft. 9 in. (6.3 m) swing away tongue
Trailer - Widthnot available
Trailer - Width99 in. (2.5 m) single axle 100 in. (2.54 m) tandem axle