Sunsation 288 Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2005 vs Sunsation 288 SS 2010 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat - the Sunsation 288 Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2005 or the Sunsation 288 SS 2010?

The Sunsation 288 SS 2010 is the longer of the two at 28,7 feet overall. The Sunsation 288 Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2005 comes in at 28,0 feet, making it roughly 0,7 ft shorter - a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which is easier to trailer - the Sunsation 288 Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2005 or the Sunsation 288 SS 2010?

For trailering, the Sunsation 288 SS 2010 has the edge at 4 500 lbs dry weight versus 4 650 lbs for the Sunsation 288 Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2005. 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 Sunsation 288 Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2005 is Coast Guard rated for 8 passengers, while the Sunsation 288 SS 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.

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

Both the Sunsation 288 Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2005 and Sunsation 288 SS 2010 share an 97 in. 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 Sunsation 288 Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2005 or the Sunsation 288 SS 2010?

The Sunsation 288 SS 2010 has the bigger tank at 110 gallons, versus 95 gallons on the Sunsation 288 Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2005. That 15-gallon difference translates to roughly 45–75 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Sunsation 288 Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2005 and Sunsation 288 SS 2010 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the Sunsation 288 Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2005 and the Sunsation 288 SS 2010 are built by Sunsation. 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

Sunsation 288 Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2005 vs Sunsation 288 SS 2010

Sunsation

Sunsation 288 Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2005

2005

View full specs →

Sunsation

Sunsation 288 SS 2010

2010

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Sunsation 288 Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2005 vs Sunsation 288 SS 2010: Same Brand, Different Boat

The Sunsation 288 Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2005 vs Sunsation 288 SS 2010 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 - Sunsation 288 Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2005 at 28,0 ft versus Sunsation 288 SS 2010 at 28,7 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Sunsation 288 Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2005 tips the scales at 4 650 lbs - 150 lbs more than the Sunsation 288 SS 2010 at 4 500 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.

Both boats are rated for 8 passengers - a good fit for a family of four or five plus guests. Comfort at capacity is another matter; the longer hull typically means more seat options and better weight distribution.

Bottom line: The Sunsation 288 Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2005 and Sunsation 288 SS 2010 are closely matched on the specs that matter most. Test-ride both on the water you actually use, check current dealer pricing, and factor in long-term service access before you sign.

General Boat Info

MakeSunsation

Model288 Mid-Cabin Open Bow

Model288 SS

Model Year2005

Model Year2010

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam97 in.

Beam - Meters2.46

Beam - Inches97

Deadrise24℃

Draft [max] - Detail36 in.

Draft [max] - Meters0.91

Draft [max] - Inches36

Weight - Detail4,650 lbs.

Weight - Detail4,500 lbs.

Weight - kg2109.2

Weight - kg2041.16

Weight - lbs.4650

Weight - lbs.4500

Length - Feet28

Length - Feet28.67

Length - Inches8

Length - Inchesnot available

Length overall - Detail28 ft. 8 in.

Length overall - Meters8.74

Length overall - Inches344

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail95 gal.

Fuel tank capacity - Detail110 gal.

Fuel tank capacity - Liters359.61

Fuel tank capacity - Liters416.4

Fuel tank capacity - Gal95

Fuel tank capacity - Gal110

Drive typeInboard

Drive typeI/O

Engine/s standardnot available

Engine/s standardMX 6.2 MPI 320 hp - Bravo One

Fuel typenot available

Fuel typeGas or Diesel

Operational Info

Water capacity3 gal.

Water capacitynot available

Body / Hull

Hull materialnot available

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typenot available

Hull typeModified Vee

Sunsation 288 Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2005 vs Sunsation 288 SS 2010 - Common Questions

Which is the larger boat - the Sunsation 288 Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2005 or the Sunsation 288 SS 2010?

The Sunsation 288 SS 2010 is the longer of the two at 28,7 feet overall. The Sunsation 288 Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2005 comes in at 28,0 feet, making it roughly 0,7 ft shorter - a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which is easier to trailer - the Sunsation 288 Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2005 or the Sunsation 288 SS 2010?

For trailering, the Sunsation 288 SS 2010 has the edge at 4 500 lbs dry weight versus 4 650 lbs for the Sunsation 288 Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2005. 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 Sunsation 288 Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2005 is Coast Guard rated for 8 passengers, while the Sunsation 288 SS 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.

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

Both the Sunsation 288 Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2005 and Sunsation 288 SS 2010 share an 97 in. 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 Sunsation 288 Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2005 or the Sunsation 288 SS 2010?

The Sunsation 288 SS 2010 has the bigger tank at 110 gallons, versus 95 gallons on the Sunsation 288 Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2005. That 15-gallon difference translates to roughly 45–75 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Sunsation 288 Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2005 and Sunsation 288 SS 2010 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the Sunsation 288 Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2005 and the Sunsation 288 SS 2010 are built by Sunsation. 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.

← Sunsation 288 Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2005 full specs ← Sunsation 288 SS 2010 full specs