Sunsation 288 Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2008 boat specs
Sunsation
Sunsation 288 Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2008
2008
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Sunsation 32 Dominator S 2012 boat specs
Sunsation
Sunsation 32 Dominator S 2012
2012
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Sunsation 288 Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2008 vs Sunsation 32 Dominator S 2012 — Same Brand, Different Boat

Matching a modified vee Sunsation 288 Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2008 against a deep vee Sunsation 32 Dominator S 2012 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 Sunsation 32 Dominator S 2012 measures 31,6 feet overall (2012), giving it roughly 3,6 additional feet of deck space compared to the Sunsation 288 Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2008 at 28,0 feet (2008). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Sunsation 288 Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2008 tips the scales at 465 lbs — 394 lbs more than the Sunsation 32 Dominator S 2012 at 71 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 power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 600 hp, the Sunsation 288 Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2008 has a 280-hp advantage over the Sunsation 32 Dominator S 2012's 320-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Sunsation 32 Dominator S 2012 carries 145 gallons versus 95 gallons in the Sunsation 288 Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2008. 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 Sunsation 32 Dominator S 2012 is rated for 9 passengers, while the Sunsation 288 Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2008 caps at 8. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Sunsation 32 Dominator S 2012 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Sunsation 32 Dominator S 2012 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 9 passengers and at 31,6 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Sunsation 288 Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2008 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
MakeSunsation
MakeSunsation
Model288 Mid-Cabin Open Bow
Model32 Dominator S
Model Year2008
Model Year2012
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam97 in
Beam97 in
Beam - Meters2.46
Beam - Meters2.46
Beam - Inches97
Beam - Inches97
Deadrise24℃
Deadrise24&#176
Draft [max] - Detail36 in
Draft [max] - Detail36 in
Draft [max] - Meters0.91
Draft [max] - Meters0.91
Draft [max] - Inches36
Draft [max] - Inches36
Weight - Detail4,650 lbs
Weight - Detail7,100 lbs
Weight - kg2109.2
Weight - kg3220.5
Weight - lbs.465
Weight - lbs.71
Length - Feet28
Length - Feet31.58
Length - Inches8
Length - Inchesnot available
Length overall - Detail28 ft. 8 in
Length overall - Detail31 ft. 7 in
Length overall - Meters8.74
Length overall - Meters9.63
Length overall - Inches344
Length overall - Inches379
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull typeModified Vee
Hull typeDeep Vee
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine/s standardMX 6.2 MPI's 320 hp - Bravo One
Engine/s standardTwin MX 6.2 MPI - Bravo One
Fuel tank capacity - Detail95 gal
Fuel tank capacity - Detail145 gal
Fuel tank capacity - Liters359.61
Fuel tank capacity - Liters548.88
Fuel tank capacity - Gal95
Fuel tank capacity - Gal145
Fuel typeGas or Diesel
Fuel typeGas
Drive typeInboard
Drive typeInboard
Engine max600 hp
Engine maxnot available
Horsepowernot available
Horsepower320 hp each
Operational Info
Water capacity3 gal
Water capacitynot available
Headnot available
Head1 (enclosed)

Sunsation 288 Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2008 vs Sunsation 32 Dominator S 2012 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Sunsation 288 Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2008 or the Sunsation 32 Dominator S 2012?
The Sunsation 32 Dominator S 2012 is the longer of the two at 31,6 feet overall. The Sunsation 288 Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2008 comes in at 28,0 feet, making it roughly 3,6 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 2008 or the Sunsation 32 Dominator S 2012?
For trailering, the Sunsation 32 Dominator S 2012 has the edge at 71 lbs dry weight versus 465 lbs for the Sunsation 288 Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2008. 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.
Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?
The Sunsation 288 Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2008 is rated to a maximum of 600 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Sunsation 32 Dominator S 2012 tops out at 320 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 Sunsation 288 Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2008 is Coast Guard rated for 8 passengers, while the Sunsation 32 Dominator S 2012 is certified for 9. 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 2008 and Sunsation 32 Dominator S 2012 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 2008 or the Sunsation 32 Dominator S 2012?
The Sunsation 32 Dominator S 2012 has the bigger tank at 145 gallons, versus 95 gallons on the Sunsation 288 Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2008. That 50-gallon difference translates to roughly 150–250 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.
Are the Sunsation 288 Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2008 and Sunsation 32 Dominator S 2012 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Sunsation 288 Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2008 and the Sunsation 32 Dominator S 2012 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.