MasterCraft MS280SS 2009 vs MasterCraft X-35 2013 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat - the MasterCraft MS280SS 2009 or the MasterCraft X-35 2013?

The MasterCraft MS280SS 2009 is the longer of the two at 28,0 feet overall. The MasterCraft X-35 2013 comes in at 23,4 feet, making it roughly 4,6 ft shorter - a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which is easier to trailer - the MasterCraft MS280SS 2009 or the MasterCraft X-35 2013?

For trailering, the MasterCraft X-35 2013 has the edge at 4 775 lbs dry weight versus 6 200 lbs for the MasterCraft MS280SS 2009. 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 MS280SS 2009 is Coast Guard rated for 8 passengers, while the MasterCraft X-35 2013 is certified for 16. 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 has the larger fuel tank - the MasterCraft MS280SS 2009 or the MasterCraft X-35 2013?

The MasterCraft MS280SS 2009 has the bigger tank at 100 gallons, versus 61 gallons on the MasterCraft X-35 2013. That 39-gallon difference translates to roughly 117–195 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the MasterCraft MS280SS 2009 and MasterCraft X-35 2013 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the MasterCraft MS280SS 2009 and the MasterCraft X-35 2013 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 MS280SS 2009 vs MasterCraft X-35 2013

MasterCraft

MasterCraft MS280SS 2009

2009

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MasterCraft

MasterCraft X-35 2013

2013

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

MasterCraft MS280SS 2009 vs MasterCraft X-35 2013: Same Brand, Different Boat

The MasterCraft MS280SS 2009 is a modified-V design and the MasterCraft X-35 2013 is a deep-V design, so you're likely deciding between two noticeably different on-water experiences. Hull type shapes everything from ride quality and fuel burn to dock handling and resale trajectory.

Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The MasterCraft MS280SS 2009 measures 28,0 feet overall (2009), giving it roughly 4,6 additional feet of deck space compared to the MasterCraft X-35 2013 at 23,4 feet (2013). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the MasterCraft MS280SS 2009 tips the scales at 6 200 lbs - 1 425 lbs more than the MasterCraft X-35 2013 at 4 775 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-35 2013 is rated for 16 passengers, while the MasterCraft MS280SS 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-35 2013 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the MasterCraft X-35 2013 if your priority is putting more people on the water - it handles 16 passengers and at 23,4 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The MasterCraft MS280SS 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

ModelMS280SS

ModelX-35

Model Year2009

Model Year2013

Measurements / Dimensions

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

Depth - Detailnot available

Depth - Centimeters93.98

Depth - Centimetersnot available

Depth - Inches37

Depth - Inchesnot available

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 - Detail4,775 lbs. (2,166 kg)

Weight - kg2812.27

Weight - kg2165.9

Weight - lbs.6200

Weight - lbs.4775

Width [transom] - DetailAmidship: 9 ft. 6 in.

Width [transom] - Detail102 in. (2.59 m) amidship

Length - Feet28

Length - Feet23.42

Length - Inches3

Length - Inchesnot available

Length overall - Detail28 ft. 3 in.

Length overall - Detail23 ft. 5 in. (7.14 m)

Length overall - Meters8.61

Length overall - Meters7.14

Length overall - Inches339

Length overall - Inches281

Height - Detailnot available

Height - Detail113 in. (2.87 m) standard tower to lowest point on keel

Height - Metersnot available

Height - Meters2.87

Height - Inchesnot available

Height - Inches113

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typeModified Vee

Hull typeDeep Vee

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail100 gal.

Fuel tank capacity - Detail61 gal. (231 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters378.54

Fuel tank capacity - Liters230.91

Fuel tank capacity - Gal100

Fuel tank capacity - Gal61

Fuel typeGas

Drive typeInboard

Engine makenot available

Engine makeIlmor

Engine modelnot available

Engine modelSee Options

Operational Info

Maximum capacityYacht Certified - No Capacity

Maximum capacity2,400 lbs. (1,089 kg)

Maximum peoplenot available

Maximum people16

Trailer Info

Trailer - WeightTandem-axle: 1,180 lbs.

Trailer - Weightnot available

MasterCraft MS280SS 2009 vs MasterCraft X-35 2013 - Common Questions

Which is the larger boat - the MasterCraft MS280SS 2009 or the MasterCraft X-35 2013?

The MasterCraft MS280SS 2009 is the longer of the two at 28,0 feet overall. The MasterCraft X-35 2013 comes in at 23,4 feet, making it roughly 4,6 ft shorter - a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which is easier to trailer - the MasterCraft MS280SS 2009 or the MasterCraft X-35 2013?

For trailering, the MasterCraft X-35 2013 has the edge at 4 775 lbs dry weight versus 6 200 lbs for the MasterCraft MS280SS 2009. 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 MS280SS 2009 is Coast Guard rated for 8 passengers, while the MasterCraft X-35 2013 is certified for 16. 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 has the larger fuel tank - the MasterCraft MS280SS 2009 or the MasterCraft X-35 2013?

The MasterCraft MS280SS 2009 has the bigger tank at 100 gallons, versus 61 gallons on the MasterCraft X-35 2013. That 39-gallon difference translates to roughly 117–195 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the MasterCraft MS280SS 2009 and MasterCraft X-35 2013 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the MasterCraft MS280SS 2009 and the MasterCraft X-35 2013 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 MS280SS 2009 full specs ← MasterCraft X-35 2013 full specs