Sunsation 288 S Performance Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2009 vs Sunsation 32 XRT Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2013 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Sunsation 288 S Performance Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2009 or the Sunsation 32 XRT Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2013?

The Sunsation 32 XRT Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2013 is the longer of the two at 31,6 feet overall. The Sunsation 288 S Performance Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2009 comes in at 28,0 feet, making it roughly 3,6 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Sunsation 288 S Performance Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2009 or the Sunsation 32 XRT Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2013?

For trailering, the Sunsation 32 XRT Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2013 has the edge at 72 lbs dry weight versus 425 lbs for the Sunsation 288 S Performance Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2009. 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: What is the maximum horsepower rating for these boats?

The Sunsation 288 S Performance Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2009 has a documented max rating of 600 hp. Engine specifications for the Sunsation 32 XRT Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2013 were not available in our database — check the OEM spec sheet or manufacturer's website for confirmation.

Q: How many people can each boat hold?

The Sunsation 288 S Performance Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2009 is Coast Guard rated for 8 passengers, while the Sunsation 32 XRT Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2013 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.

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

Both the Sunsation 288 S Performance Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2009 and Sunsation 32 XRT Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2013 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: Are the Sunsation 288 S Performance Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2009 and Sunsation 32 XRT Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2013 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Sunsation 288 S Performance Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2009 and the Sunsation 32 XRT Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2013 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 S Performance Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2009 vs Sunsation 32 XRT Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2013

Sunsation

Sunsation 288 S Performance Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2009

2009

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Sunsation

Sunsation 32 XRT Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2013

2013

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Sunsation 288 S Performance Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2009 vs Sunsation 32 XRT Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2013 — Same Brand, Different Boat

Matching a modified vee Sunsation 288 S Performance Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2009 against a deep vee Sunsation 32 XRT Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2013 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 XRT Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2013 measures 31,6 feet overall (2013), giving it roughly 3,6 additional feet of deck space compared to the Sunsation 288 S Performance Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2009 at 28,0 feet (2009). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Sunsation 288 S Performance Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2009 tips the scales at 425 lbs — 353 lbs more than the Sunsation 32 XRT Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2013 at 72 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 Sunsation 288 S Performance Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2009 carries a rated maximum of 600 hp. Engine data for the Sunsation 32 XRT Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2013 wasn't available in our records — check the manufacturer's spec sheet before sizing a motor.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Sunsation 32 XRT Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2013 is rated for 9 passengers, while the Sunsation 288 S Performance Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2009 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 XRT Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2013 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Sunsation 32 XRT Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2013 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 S Performance Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2009 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

Model288 S Performance Mid-Cabin Open Bow

Model32 XRT Mid-Cabin Open Bow

Model Year2009

Model Year2013

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam97 in

Beam - Meters2.46

Beam - Inches97

Deadrise24℃

Deadrise24°

Draft [max] - Detail36 in

Draft [max] - Meters0.91

Draft [max] - Inches36

Weight - Detail4,250 lbs

Weight - Detail7,200 lbs

Weight - kg1927.77

Weight - kg3265.86

Weight - lbs.425

Weight - lbs.72

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 typeModified Vee

Hull typeDeep Vee

Engine and Drivetrain

Engine/s standardMX 6.2 MPI's 320 hp - Bravo One

Engine/s standardnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Detail110 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Liters416.4

Fuel tank capacity - Litersnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Gal11

Fuel tank capacity - Galnot available

Fuel typeGas or Diesel

Fuel typeGas

Drive typeI/O

Drive typeInboard - Twin

Engine max600 hp

Engine maxnot available

Sunsation 288 S Performance Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2009 vs Sunsation 32 XRT Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2013 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Sunsation 288 S Performance Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2009 or the Sunsation 32 XRT Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2013?

The Sunsation 32 XRT Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2013 is the longer of the two at 31,6 feet overall. The Sunsation 288 S Performance Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2009 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 S Performance Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2009 or the Sunsation 32 XRT Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2013?

For trailering, the Sunsation 32 XRT Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2013 has the edge at 72 lbs dry weight versus 425 lbs for the Sunsation 288 S Performance Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2009. 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.

What is the maximum horsepower rating for these boats?

The Sunsation 288 S Performance Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2009 has a documented max rating of 600 hp. Engine specifications for the Sunsation 32 XRT Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2013 were not available in our database — check the OEM spec sheet or manufacturer's website for confirmation.

How many people can each boat hold?

The Sunsation 288 S Performance Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2009 is Coast Guard rated for 8 passengers, while the Sunsation 32 XRT Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2013 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 S Performance Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2009 and Sunsation 32 XRT Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2013 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.

Are the Sunsation 288 S Performance Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2009 and Sunsation 32 XRT Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2013 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Sunsation 288 S Performance Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2009 and the Sunsation 32 XRT Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2013 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 S Performance Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2009 full specs ← Sunsation 32 XRT Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2013 full specs