Weld-Craft CDS 36 (12 ft.) 2007 vs Weldcraft Marine 280 2011 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat - the Weld-Craft CDS 36 (12 ft.) 2007 or the Weldcraft Marine 280 2011?

The Weldcraft Marine 280 2011 is the longer of the two at 28,0 feet overall. The Weld-Craft CDS 36 (12 ft.) 2007 comes in at 12,0 feet, making it roughly 16,0 ft shorter - a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Weldcraft Marine 280 2011 is rated to a maximum of 500 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Weld-Craft CDS 36 (12 ft.) 2007 tops out at 15 hp. Keep in mind that maximum ratings are just that - matching the motor to the actual load and usage pattern usually matters more than chasing the ceiling.

Q: How many people can each boat hold?

The Weld-Craft CDS 36 (12 ft.) 2007 is Coast Guard rated for 3 passengers, while the Weldcraft Marine 280 2011 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.

Q: Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Weldcraft Marine 280 2011 measures 102" wide, compared to 59" for the Weld-Craft CDS 36 (12 ft.) 2007. 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.

Q: Are the Weld-Craft CDS 36 (12 ft.) 2007 and Weldcraft Marine 280 2011 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the Weld-Craft CDS 36 (12 ft.) 2007 and the Weldcraft Marine 280 2011 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.

Boat Comparison

Weld-Craft CDS 36 (12 ft.) 2007 vs Weldcraft Marine 280 2011

Weld-Craft

Weld-Craft CDS 36 (12 ft.) 2007

2007

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Weld-Craft

Weldcraft Marine 280 2011

2011

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Weld-Craft CDS 36 (12 ft.) 2007 vs Weldcraft Marine 280 2011: Same Brand, Different Boat

The Weld-Craft CDS 36 (12 ft.) 2007 is a flat-bottom design and the Weldcraft Marine 280 2011 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.

The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 500 hp, the Weldcraft Marine 280 2011 has a 485-hp advantage over the Weld-Craft CDS 36 (12 ft.) 2007's 15-hp ceiling - enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Weldcraft Marine 280 2011 is rated for 8 passengers, while the Weld-Craft CDS 36 (12 ft.) 2007 caps at 3. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Weldcraft Marine 280 2011 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Weldcraft Marine 280 2011 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 Weld-Craft CDS 36 (12 ft.) 2007 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 3 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeWeld-Craft

MakeWeldcraft Marine

ModelCDS 36 (12 ft.)

Model280

Model Year2007

Model Year2011

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam59 in.

Beam102 in.

Beam - Meters1.5

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Inches59

Beam - Inches102

Height - DetailSide: 19 in.

Height - DetailSides: 39 x 0.125 in.

Height - Meters0.48

Height - Metersnot available

Height - Inches19

Height - Inches0.125

Length - Feet12

Length - Feet28

Length overall - Detail12 ft. 0 in.

Length overall - Detail28 ft. 0 in.

Length overall - Meters3.66

Length overall - Meters8.53

Length overall - Inches144

Length overall - Inches336

Deadrisenot available

Deadrise32° bow entry 28° forward entry 18° transom

Weight - Detailnot available

Weight - Detail3,650 gal.

Weight - kgnot available

Weight - kg1655.61

Weight - lbs.not available

Weight - lbs.3650

Width [transom] - Detailnot available

Width [transom] - Detail102 x 0.190 in.

Body / Hull

Hull materialAluminum

Hull typeFlat

Hull typeDeep Vee

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel typeGas

Drive typeNone

Drive typeI/O

Engine max15 hp (manual)

Engine max500 hp

Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Detail127 gal.

Fuel tank capacity - Litersnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Liters480.75

Fuel tank capacity - Galnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Gal127

Weld-Craft CDS 36 (12 ft.) 2007 vs Weldcraft Marine 280 2011 - Common Questions

Which is the larger boat - the Weld-Craft CDS 36 (12 ft.) 2007 or the Weldcraft Marine 280 2011?

The Weldcraft Marine 280 2011 is the longer of the two at 28,0 feet overall. The Weld-Craft CDS 36 (12 ft.) 2007 comes in at 12,0 feet, making it roughly 16,0 ft shorter - a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Weldcraft Marine 280 2011 is rated to a maximum of 500 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Weld-Craft CDS 36 (12 ft.) 2007 tops out at 15 hp. Keep in mind that maximum ratings are just that - matching the motor to the actual load and usage pattern usually matters more than chasing the ceiling.

How many people can each boat hold?

The Weld-Craft CDS 36 (12 ft.) 2007 is Coast Guard rated for 3 passengers, while the Weldcraft Marine 280 2011 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 2011 measures 102" wide, compared to 59" for the Weld-Craft CDS 36 (12 ft.) 2007. 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.

Are the Weld-Craft CDS 36 (12 ft.) 2007 and Weldcraft Marine 280 2011 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the Weld-Craft CDS 36 (12 ft.) 2007 and the Weldcraft Marine 280 2011 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.

← Weld-Craft CDS 36 (12 ft.) 2007 full specs ← Weldcraft Marine 280 2011 full specs