Sunsation 288 Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2005 vs Sunsation Sunsation 288 2006 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Sunsation 288 Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2005 or the Sunsation Sunsation 288 2006?

The Sunsation Sunsation 288 2006 is the longer of the two at 28,0 feet overall. The Sunsation 288 Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2005 comes in at 28,0 feet, making it roughly 0,0 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 Sunsation 288 2006?

For trailering, the Sunsation Sunsation 288 2006 has the edge at 45 lbs dry weight versus 465 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 Sunsation 288 2006 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 Sunsation 288 2006 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 Sunsation 288 2006?

The Sunsation 288 Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2005 has the bigger tank at 95 gallons, versus 11 gallons on the Sunsation Sunsation 288 2006. That 84-gallon difference translates to roughly 252–420 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 Sunsation 288 2006 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Sunsation 288 Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2005 and the Sunsation Sunsation 288 2006 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 Sunsation 288 2006

Sunsation

Sunsation 288 Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2005

2005

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Sunsation

Sunsation Sunsation 288 2006

2006

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Sunsation 288 Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2005 vs Sunsation Sunsation 288 2006 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Sunsation 288 Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2005 vs Sunsation Sunsation 288 2006 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 Sunsation 288 2006 at 28,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Sunsation 288 Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2005 tips the scales at 465 lbs — 420 lbs more than the Sunsation Sunsation 288 2006 at 45 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 Sunsation 288 2006 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

ModelSunsation 288

Model Year2005

Model Year2006

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.465

Weight - lbs.45

Length - Feet28

Length - Inches8

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 - Gal11

Drive typeInboard

Operational Info

Water capacity3 gal

Sunsation 288 Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2005 vs Sunsation Sunsation 288 2006 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Sunsation 288 Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2005 or the Sunsation Sunsation 288 2006?

The Sunsation Sunsation 288 2006 is the longer of the two at 28,0 feet overall. The Sunsation 288 Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2005 comes in at 28,0 feet, making it roughly 0,0 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 Sunsation 288 2006?

For trailering, the Sunsation Sunsation 288 2006 has the edge at 45 lbs dry weight versus 465 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 Sunsation 288 2006 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 Sunsation 288 2006 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 Sunsation 288 2006?

The Sunsation 288 Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2005 has the bigger tank at 95 gallons, versus 11 gallons on the Sunsation Sunsation 288 2006. That 84-gallon difference translates to roughly 252–420 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 Sunsation 288 2006 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Sunsation 288 Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2005 and the Sunsation Sunsation 288 2006 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 Sunsation 288 2006 full specs