The Sunsation 288 S Performance Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2009 is a modified-V design and the Sunsation 288 SS 2013 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.
On paper these two are close siblings in the size department - Sunsation 288 S Performance Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2009 at 28,0 ft versus Sunsation 288 SS 2013 at 28,7 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Sunsation 288 SS 2013 tips the scales at 4 500 lbs - 250 lbs less than the Sunsation 288 S Performance Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2009 at 4 250 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 S Performance Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2009 has a 280-hp advantage over the Sunsation 288 SS 2013's 320-hp ceiling - enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Both carry nearly identical fuel loads - 110 gal and 110 gal - so range won't be a tiebreaker here.
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: Performance buyers should lean toward the Sunsation 288 S Performance Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2009 and its 600-hp ceiling. If fuel economy and quieter running matter more than top-end speed, the Sunsation 288 SS 2013 with its 320-hp rating is the more economical daily driver.