Weldcraft Marine 21 Legacy 2012 boat specs
Weld-Craft
Weldcraft Marine 21 Legacy 2012
2012
View full specs →
VS
Weldcraft Marine 280 2010 boat specs
Weld-Craft
Weldcraft Marine 280 2010
2010
View full specs →

Weldcraft Marine 21 Legacy 2012 vs Weldcraft Marine 280 2010 — Same Brand, Different Boat

Matching a modified vee Weldcraft Marine 21 Legacy 2012 against a deep vee Weldcraft Marine 280 2010 means you're likely deciding between two genuinely 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 Weldcraft Marine 280 2010 measures 28,0 feet overall (2010), giving it roughly 7,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Weldcraft Marine 21 Legacy 2012 at 21,0 feet (2012). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Weldcraft Marine 280 2010 tips the scales at 365 lbs — 334 lbs less than the Weldcraft Marine 21 Legacy 2012 at 31 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.

The Weldcraft Marine 280 2010 tops out at 500 hp. Engine specs for the Weldcraft Marine 21 Legacy 2012 aren't listed — confirm with a dealer before selecting an outboard.Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Weldcraft Marine 280 2010 carries 127 gallons versus 62 gallons in the Weldcraft Marine 21 Legacy 2012. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Weldcraft Marine 280 2010 is rated for 8 passengers, while the Weldcraft Marine 21 Legacy 2012 caps at 6. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Weldcraft Marine 280 2010 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Weldcraft Marine 280 2010 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 Weldcraft Marine 21 Legacy 2012 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 6 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
MakeWeldcraft Marine
MakeWeldcraft Marine
Model21 Legacy
Model28
Model Year2012
Model Year201
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam95 in
Beam102 in
Beam - Meters2.41
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Inches95
Beam - Inches102
DeadriseTransom: 14°
Deadrise32° bow entry 28° forward entry 18° transom
Weight - Detail3,100 lbs
Weight - Detail3,650 gal
Weight - kg1406.14
Weight - kg1655.61
Weight - lbs.31
Weight - lbs.365
Width [transom] - Detail95 in
Width [transom] - Detail102 x 0.190 in
Height - DetailSides: 33 in
Height - DetailSides: 39 x 0.125 in
Height - Meters0.84
Height - Meters0
Height - Inches33
Height - Inches0.125
Length - Feet21
Length - Feet28
Length overall - Detail21 ft
Length overall - Detail28 ft. 0 in
Length overall - Meters6.4
Length overall - Meters8.53
Length overall - Inches252
Length overall - Inches336
Body / Hull
Hull materialAluminum
Hull materialAluminum
Hull thicknessBottom: 0.19 in. Sides: 0.125 in. Transom: 0.19 in
Hull thicknessnot available
Hull typeModified Vee
Hull typeDeep Vee
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine makeMarine Power
Engine makenot available
Engine model5.7 l Multi Port Fuel Injected MEFI-5 V-8
Engine modelnot available
ImpellerTurbo
Impellernot available
Jet pumpHamilton 212
Jet pumpnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Detail62 gal
Fuel tank capacity - Detail127 gal
Fuel tank capacity - Liters234.7
Fuel tank capacity - Liters480.75
Fuel tank capacity - Gal62
Fuel tank capacity - Gal127
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typeGas
Drive typeJet Drive
Drive typeI/O
Engine maxnot available
Engine max500 hp

Weldcraft Marine 21 Legacy 2012 vs Weldcraft Marine 280 2010 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Weldcraft Marine 21 Legacy 2012 or the Weldcraft Marine 280 2010?
The Weldcraft Marine 280 2010 is the longer of the two at 28,0 feet overall. The Weldcraft Marine 21 Legacy 2012 comes in at 21,0 feet, making it roughly 7,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.
Which is easier to trailer — the Weldcraft Marine 21 Legacy 2012 or the Weldcraft Marine 280 2010?
For trailering, the Weldcraft Marine 21 Legacy 2012 has the edge at 31 lbs dry weight versus 365 lbs for the Weldcraft Marine 280 2010. 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.
What is the maximum horsepower rating for these boats?
The Weldcraft Marine 280 2010 has a documented max rating of 500 hp. Engine specifications for the Weldcraft Marine 21 Legacy 2012 were not available in our database — check the OEM spec sheet or manufacturer's website for confirmation.
How many people can each boat hold?
The Weldcraft Marine 21 Legacy 2012 is Coast Guard rated for 6 passengers, while the Weldcraft Marine 280 2010 is certified for 8. 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 is wider, and does it affect trailering?
The Weldcraft Marine 280 2010 measures 102" wide, compared to 95" for the Weldcraft Marine 21 Legacy 2012. The US standard-width towing limit is 8’6" (102") in most states — anything over that may need a wide-load permit. Confirm your specific route requirements with each state's DOT.
Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Weldcraft Marine 21 Legacy 2012 or the Weldcraft Marine 280 2010?
The Weldcraft Marine 280 2010 has the bigger tank at 127 gallons, versus 62 gallons on the Weldcraft Marine 21 Legacy 2012. That 65-gallon difference translates to roughly 195–325 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.
Are the Weldcraft Marine 21 Legacy 2012 and Weldcraft Marine 280 2010 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Weldcraft Marine 21 Legacy 2012 and the Weldcraft Marine 280 2010 are built by Weld-Craft. 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.