The Profile 260 V 2006 vs Profile 280 Cat 2007 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 — Profile 260 V 2006 at 25,0 ft versus Profile 280 Cat 2007 at 28,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Profile 280 Cat 2007 tips the scales at 475 lbs — 439 lbs less than the Profile 260 V 2006 at 36 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 Profile 280 Cat 2007 is rated for 8 passengers, while the Profile 260 V 2006 caps at 7. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Profile 280 Cat 2007 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Profile 280 Cat 2007 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 8 passengers and at 28,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Profile 260 V 2006 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 7 that costs less to run day-to-day.