Sunsation 288 SSR Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2013 boat specs
Sunsation
Sunsation 288 SSR Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2013
2013
View full specs →
VS
Sunsation 32 Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2006 boat specs
Sunsation
Sunsation 32 Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2006
2006
View full specs →

Sunsation 288 SSR Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2013 vs Sunsation 32 Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2006 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Sunsation 288 SSR Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2013 vs Sunsation 32 Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2006 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 2013 at 28,7 ft versus Sunsation 32 Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2006 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.

The Sunsation 288 SSR Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2013 carries a rated maximum of 320 hp. Engine data for the Sunsation 32 Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2006 wasn't available in our records — check the manufacturer's spec sheet before sizing a motor.Both carry nearly identical fuel loads — 95 gal and 95 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Sunsation 32 Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2006 is rated for 9 passengers, while the Sunsation 288 SSR Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2013 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 2006 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Sunsation 32 Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2006 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 2013 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 Year2013
Model Year2006
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 typeDeep Vee
Hull typenot available
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine/s standardMX 6.2 MPI - 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
Fuel typenot available
Drive typeInboard
Drive typeInboard
Horsepower320 hp
Horsepowernot available

Sunsation 288 SSR Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2013 vs Sunsation 32 Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2006 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Sunsation 288 SSR Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2013 or the Sunsation 32 Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2006?
The Sunsation 32 Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2006 is the longer of the two at 31,0 feet overall. The Sunsation 288 SSR Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2013 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 2013 or the Sunsation 32 Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2006?
For trailering, the Sunsation 288 SSR Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2013 has the edge at 45 lbs dry weight versus 66 lbs for the Sunsation 32 Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2006. 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 SSR Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2013 has a documented max rating of 320 hp. Engine specifications for the Sunsation 32 Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2006 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 SSR Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2013 is Coast Guard rated for 8 passengers, while the Sunsation 32 Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2006 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 2013 and Sunsation 32 Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2006 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 2013 and Sunsation 32 Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2006?
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 2013 and Sunsation 32 Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2006 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Sunsation 288 SSR Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2013 and the Sunsation 32 Mid-Cabin Open Bow 2006 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.