The Sunsation 36 S 2013 vs Sunsation Sunsation 288 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.
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Sunsation 36 S 2013 measures 36,0 feet overall (2013), giving it roughly 8,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Sunsation Sunsation 288 2006 at 28,0 feet (2006). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Sunsation 36 S 2013 tips the scales at 7 900 lbs - 3 400 lbs more than the Sunsation Sunsation 288 2006 at 4 500 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.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Sunsation 36 S 2013 is rated for 10 passengers, while the Sunsation Sunsation 288 2006 caps at 8. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Sunsation 36 S 2013 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Sunsation 36 S 2013 if your priority is putting more people on the water - it handles 10 passengers and at 36,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Sunsation Sunsation 288 2006 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 8 that costs less to run day-to-day.