Sunsation 288 SS Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2009 vs Sunsation 288 XRT 2013 - Boat Spec Comparison

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

The Sunsation 288 XRT 2013 is the longer of the two at 28,7 feet overall. The Sunsation 288 SS Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2009 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 SS Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2009 or the Sunsation 288 XRT 2013?

For trailering, the Sunsation 288 XRT 2013 has the edge at 45 lbs dry weight versus 465 lbs for the Sunsation 288 SS 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 SS Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2009 has a documented max rating of 600 hp. Engine specifications for the Sunsation 288 XRT 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 SS Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2009 is Coast Guard rated for 8 passengers, while the Sunsation 288 XRT 2013 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 SS Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2009 and Sunsation 288 XRT 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: Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Sunsation 288 SS Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2009 or the Sunsation 288 XRT 2013?

The Sunsation 288 SS Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2009 has the bigger tank at 95 gallons, versus 11 gallons on the Sunsation 288 XRT 2013. 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 SS Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2009 and Sunsation 288 XRT 2013 from the same manufacturer?

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

Sunsation

Sunsation 288 SS Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2009

2009

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Sunsation

Sunsation 288 XRT 2013

2013

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

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

Matching a modified vee Sunsation 288 SS Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2009 against a deep vee Sunsation 288 XRT 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.

On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Sunsation 288 SS Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2009 at 28,0 ft versus Sunsation 288 XRT 2013 at 28,7 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Sunsation 288 SS Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2009 tips the scales at 465 lbs — 420 lbs more than the Sunsation 288 XRT 2013 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.

The Sunsation 288 SS Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2009 carries a rated maximum of 600 hp. Engine data for the Sunsation 288 XRT 2013 wasn't available in our records — check the manufacturer's spec sheet before sizing a motor.Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Sunsation 288 SS Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2009 carries 95 gallons versus 11 gallons in the Sunsation 288 XRT 2013. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.

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 SS Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2009 and Sunsation 288 XRT 2013 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 SS Mid-Cabin Open Bow

Model288 XRT

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 - Detail4,650 lbs

Weight - Detail4,500 lbs

Weight - kg2109.2

Weight - kg2041.16

Weight - lbs.465

Weight - lbs.45

Length - Feet28

Length - Feet28.67

Length - Inches8

Length - Inchesnot available

Length overall - Detail28 ft. 8 in

Length overall - Meters8.74

Length overall - Inches344

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 - 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

Fuel typeGas or Diesel

Fuel typeGas

Drive typeI/O

Drive typenot available

Engine max600 hp

Engine maxnot available

Operational Info

Water capacity3 gal

Water capacitynot available

Sunsation 288 SS Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2009 vs Sunsation 288 XRT 2013 — Common Questions

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

The Sunsation 288 XRT 2013 is the longer of the two at 28,7 feet overall. The Sunsation 288 SS Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2009 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 SS Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2009 or the Sunsation 288 XRT 2013?

For trailering, the Sunsation 288 XRT 2013 has the edge at 45 lbs dry weight versus 465 lbs for the Sunsation 288 SS 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 SS Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2009 has a documented max rating of 600 hp. Engine specifications for the Sunsation 288 XRT 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 SS Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2009 is Coast Guard rated for 8 passengers, while the Sunsation 288 XRT 2013 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 SS Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2009 and Sunsation 288 XRT 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.

Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Sunsation 288 SS Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2009 or the Sunsation 288 XRT 2013?

The Sunsation 288 SS Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2009 has the bigger tank at 95 gallons, versus 11 gallons on the Sunsation 288 XRT 2013. 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 SS Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2009 and Sunsation 288 XRT 2013 from the same manufacturer?

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