Sunsation 288 SS Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2009 vs Sunsation 32 XRT 2011 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Sunsation 288 SS Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2009 or the Sunsation 32 XRT 2011?

The Sunsation 32 XRT 2011 is the longer of the two at 32,0 feet overall. The Sunsation 288 SS Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2009 comes in at 28,0 feet, making it roughly 4,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Sunsation 288 SS Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2009 is rated to a maximum of 600 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Sunsation 32 XRT 2011 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.

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 32 XRT 2011 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: Are the Sunsation 288 SS Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2009 and Sunsation 32 XRT 2011 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Sunsation 288 SS Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2009 and the Sunsation 32 XRT 2011 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 32 XRT 2011

Sunsation

Sunsation 288 SS Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2009

2009

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Sunsation

Sunsation 32 XRT 2011

2011

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Sunsation 288 SS Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2009 vs Sunsation 32 XRT 2011 — Same Brand, Different Boat

Matching a modified vee Sunsation 288 SS Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2009 against a deep vee Sunsation 32 XRT 2011 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.

The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 600 hp, the Sunsation 288 SS Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2009 has a 280-hp advantage over the Sunsation 32 XRT 2011's 320-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Sunsation 32 XRT 2011 is rated for 9 passengers, while the Sunsation 288 SS 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 2011 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Sunsation 32 XRT 2011 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 9 passengers and at 32,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Sunsation 288 SS 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 SS Mid-Cabin Open Bow

Model32 XRT

Model Year2009

Model Year2011

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam97 in

Beamnot available

Beam - Meters2.46

Beam - Metersnot available

Beam - Inches97

Beam - Inchesnot available

Deadrise24℃

Deadrisenot available

Draft [max] - Detail36 in

Draft [max] - Detailnot available

Draft [max] - Meters0.91

Draft [max] - Metersnot available

Draft [max] - Inches36

Draft [max] - Inchesnot available

Weight - Detail4,650 lbs

Weight - Detailnot available

Weight - kg2109.2

Weight - kgnot available

Weight - lbs.465

Weight - lbs.not available

Length - Feet28

Length - Feet32

Length - Inches8

Length - Inchesnot available

Length overall - Detail28 ft. 8 in

Length overall - Detail32 ft

Length overall - Meters8.74

Length overall - Meters9.75

Length overall - Inches344

Length overall - Inches384

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 standardTwin MX 6.2 MPI's - Bravo One drives

Fuel tank capacity - Detail95 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Liters359.61

Fuel tank capacity - Litersnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Gal95

Fuel tank capacity - Galnot available

Fuel typeGas or Diesel

Fuel typeGas

Drive typeI/O

Drive typeInboard - Twin

Engine max600 hp

Engine maxnot available

Horsepowernot available

Horsepower320 hp each

Operational Info

Water capacity3 gal

Water capacitynot available

Sunsation 288 SS Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2009 vs Sunsation 32 XRT 2011 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Sunsation 288 SS Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2009 or the Sunsation 32 XRT 2011?

The Sunsation 32 XRT 2011 is the longer of the two at 32,0 feet overall. The Sunsation 288 SS Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2009 comes in at 28,0 feet, making it roughly 4,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Sunsation 288 SS Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2009 is rated to a maximum of 600 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Sunsation 32 XRT 2011 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 SS Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2009 is Coast Guard rated for 8 passengers, while the Sunsation 32 XRT 2011 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.

Are the Sunsation 288 SS Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2009 and Sunsation 32 XRT 2011 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Sunsation 288 SS Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2009 and the Sunsation 32 XRT 2011 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 32 XRT 2011 full specs