Sailfish 2880 CC 2012 vs Sailfish Boats 290 CC 2023 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Sailfish 2880 CC 2012 or the Sailfish Boats 290 CC 2023?

The Sailfish Boats 290 CC 2023 is the longer of the two at 28,6 feet overall. The Sailfish 2880 CC 2012 comes in at 28,5 feet, making it roughly 0,1 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Sailfish 2880 CC 2012 is rated to a maximum of 600 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Sailfish Boats 290 CC 2023 tops out at 300 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 Sailfish 2880 CC 2012 is Coast Guard rated for 9 passengers, while the Sailfish Boats 290 CC 2023 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: Do these boats require an oversize trailer permit to tow on US highways?

Both the Sailfish 2880 CC 2012 and Sailfish Boats 290 CC 2023 share an 9 ft. (2.74 m) beam — meaning both sit right at the 8’6" threshold that most US states use for standard-width loads. In most states you can tow at that width without a special permit, but regulations vary. Always check the rules for your state and any states you'll be passing through before your first long haul.

Q: Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Sailfish 2880 CC 2012 or the Sailfish Boats 290 CC 2023?

The Sailfish Boats 290 CC 2023 has the bigger tank at 225 gallons, versus 24 gallons on the Sailfish 2880 CC 2012. That 201-gallon difference translates to roughly 603–1005 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Sailfish 2880 CC 2012 and Sailfish Boats 290 CC 2023 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Sailfish 2880 CC 2012 and the Sailfish Boats 290 CC 2023 are built by Sailfish. 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

Sailfish 2880 CC 2012 vs Sailfish Boats 290 CC 2023

Sailfish

Sailfish 2880 CC 2012

2012

View full specs →

Sailfish

Sailfish Boats 290 CC 2023

2023

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Sailfish 2880 CC 2012 vs Sailfish Boats 290 CC 2023 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Sailfish 2880 CC 2012 vs Sailfish Boats 290 CC 2023 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.

The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 600 hp, the Sailfish 2880 CC 2012 has a 300-hp advantage over the Sailfish Boats 290 CC 2023's 300-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Sailfish Boats 290 CC 2023 carries 225 gallons versus 24 gallons in the Sailfish 2880 CC 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 Sailfish 2880 CC 2012 is rated for 9 passengers, while the Sailfish Boats 290 CC 2023 caps at 8. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Sailfish 2880 CC 2012 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Sailfish 2880 CC 2012 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 9 passengers and at 28,5 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Sailfish Boats 290 CC 2023 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

MakeSailfish

Makenot available

Model2880 CC

Modelnot available

Model Year2012

Model Yearnot available

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam9 ft. (2.74 m)

Beam9.00 ft

Beam - Meters2.74

Beam - Inches108

Bridge clearance - Detail8 ft. 10 in. (2.69 m) with T-top

Bridge clearance - Detailnot available

Bridge clearance - Meters2.69

Bridge clearance - Metersnot available

Bridge clearance - Inches106

Bridge clearance - Inchesnot available

Deadrise22 - 24° multi angle

Deadrisenot available

Depth - DetailCockpit Rear: 30 in. (76.2 cm) Cockpit Front: 40 in. (101.6 cm)

Depth - Detailnot available

Depth - Centimeters101.6

Depth - Centimetersnot available

Depth - Inches4

Depth - Inchesnot available

Draft [max] - Detail21 in. (53.34 cm)

Draft [max] - Detail21.00 ft

Draft [max] - Meters0.53

Draft [max] - Meters6.4

Draft [max] - Inches21

Draft [max] - Inches252

Weight - DetailHull Only: 5,050 lbs. (2,290.64 kg)

Weight - Detailnot available

Weight - kg2290.64

Weight - kgnot available

Weight - lbs.505

Weight - lbs.not available

Length - Feet28.5

Length - Feet28.6

Length overall - DetailHull Only: 28 ft. 6 in. (8.69 m) Rigged: 30 ft. 6 in. (9.3 m

Length overall - Detail28.60 ft

Length overall - Meters9.3

Length overall - Meters8.72

Length overall - Inches366

Length overall - Inches343

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull materialnot available

Hull typeDeep Vee

Hull typenot available

Engine and Drivetrain

Engine makeYamaha

Fuel tank capacity - Detail240 gal. (909 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Liters908.5

Fuel tank capacity - Liters851.72

Fuel tank capacity - Gal24

Fuel tank capacity - Gal225

Fuel typeGas

Drive typeOutboard

Drive typeoutboard

Engine maxWith Twins: 600 hp (447.42 kW)

Engine maxnot available

Horsepowernot available

Horsepower300 hp

Engine 2 Engine Makenot available

Engine 2 Engine MakeYamaha

Engine 2 Horsepowernot available

Engine 2 Horsepower300 hp

Engine 2 Fuel Typenot available

Engine 2 Fuel TypeGas

Engine 2 Drive Typenot available

Engine 2 Drive Typeoutboard

Operational Info

Water capacity14 gal. (53 l)

Water capacity14

Trailerablenot available

TrailerableYes

Boat typenot available

Boat typePower

Sailfish 2880 CC 2012 vs Sailfish Boats 290 CC 2023 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Sailfish 2880 CC 2012 or the Sailfish Boats 290 CC 2023?

The Sailfish Boats 290 CC 2023 is the longer of the two at 28,6 feet overall. The Sailfish 2880 CC 2012 comes in at 28,5 feet, making it roughly 0,1 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Sailfish 2880 CC 2012 is rated to a maximum of 600 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Sailfish Boats 290 CC 2023 tops out at 300 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 Sailfish 2880 CC 2012 is Coast Guard rated for 9 passengers, while the Sailfish Boats 290 CC 2023 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.

Do these boats require an oversize trailer permit to tow on US highways?

Both the Sailfish 2880 CC 2012 and Sailfish Boats 290 CC 2023 share an 9 ft. (2.74 m) beam — meaning both sit right at the 8’6" threshold that most US states use for standard-width loads. In most states you can tow at that width without a special permit, but regulations vary. Always check the rules for your state and any states you'll be passing through before your first long haul.

Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Sailfish 2880 CC 2012 or the Sailfish Boats 290 CC 2023?

The Sailfish Boats 290 CC 2023 has the bigger tank at 225 gallons, versus 24 gallons on the Sailfish 2880 CC 2012. That 201-gallon difference translates to roughly 603–1005 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Sailfish 2880 CC 2012 and Sailfish Boats 290 CC 2023 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Sailfish 2880 CC 2012 and the Sailfish Boats 290 CC 2023 are built by Sailfish. 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.

← Sailfish 2880 CC 2012 full specs ← Sailfish Boats 290 CC 2023 full specs