Sunsation 288 SSR Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2010 boat specs
Sunsation
Sunsation 288 SSR Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2010
2010
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Sunsation 32 Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2005 boat specs
Sunsation
Sunsation 32 Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2005
2005
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Sunsation 288 SSR Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2010 vs Sunsation 32 Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2005 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Sunsation 288 SSR Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2010 vs Sunsation 32 Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2005 comparison sits squarely in the category of decisions where specs alone won't tell the whole story — intended use, storage, and long-term ownership costs all factor in.

On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Sunsation 288 SSR Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2010 at 28,7 ft versus Sunsation 32 Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2005 at 31,0 ft. At 45 lbs and 66 lbs respectively, both sit in a similar weight class — either should pair comfortably with most mid-size SUVs and half-ton trucks, though always confirm your specific tow rating with the motor added.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Sunsation 32 Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2005 is rated for 9 passengers, while the Sunsation 288 SSR Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2010 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 Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2005 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Sunsation 32 Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2005 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 9 passengers and at 31,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Sunsation 288 SSR Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2010 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 SSR Mid-Cabin Open Bow
Model32 Mid-Cabin Open Bow
Model Year201
Model Year2005
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam97 in
Beam97 in
Beam - Meters2.46
Beam - Meters2.46
Beam - Inches97
Beam - Inches97
Deadrise24℃
Deadrise24℃
Draft [max] - Detail36 in
Draft [max] - Detail36 in
Draft [max] - Meters0.91
Draft [max] - Meters0.91
Draft [max] - Inches36
Draft [max] - Inches36
Weight - Detail4,500 lbs
Weight - Detail6,600 lbs
Weight - kg2041.16
Weight - kg2993.71
Weight - lbs.45
Weight - lbs.66
Length - Feet28.67
Length - Feet31
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
Length - Inchesnot available
Length - Inches7
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialnot available
Hull typeModified Vee
Hull typenot available
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine/s standardMX 6.2 MPI 320 hp - Bravo One
Engine/s standardnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Detail95 gal
Fuel tank capacity - Detail95 gal
Fuel tank capacity - Liters359.61
Fuel tank capacity - Liters359.61
Fuel tank capacity - Gal95
Fuel tank capacity - Gal95
Fuel typeGas or Diesel
Fuel typenot available
Drive typeI/O
Drive typeInboard

Sunsation 288 SSR Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2010 vs Sunsation 32 Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2005 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Sunsation 288 SSR Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2010 or the Sunsation 32 Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2005?
The Sunsation 32 Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2005 is the longer of the two at 31,0 feet overall. The Sunsation 288 SSR Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2010 comes in at 28,7 feet, making it roughly 2,3 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.
Which is easier to trailer — the Sunsation 288 SSR Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2010 or the Sunsation 32 Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2005?
For trailering, the Sunsation 288 SSR Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2010 has the edge at 45 lbs dry weight versus 66 lbs for the Sunsation 32 Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2005. 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.
How many people can each boat hold?
The Sunsation 288 SSR Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2010 is Coast Guard rated for 8 passengers, while the Sunsation 32 Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2005 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 SSR Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2010 and Sunsation 32 Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2005 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.
How do the fuel tanks compare on the Sunsation 288 SSR Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2010 and Sunsation 32 Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2005?
Both boats carry similar fuel loads — 95 gallons and 95 gallons respectively. Range will depend heavily on motor choice, throttle usage, and whether you're on flat lake water or coastal chop.
Are the Sunsation 288 SSR Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2010 and Sunsation 32 Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2005 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Sunsation 288 SSR Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2010 and the Sunsation 32 Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2005 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.