The -vs- thread mentioned above was apples to oranges. Comparing any 25 to a 28 almost 29 is laughable. Simply ride the two and tell us about the difference. It takes a boat of similar length and lots more weight to beat it in the rough but they'll cost mucho more. I own a 2002 288 with the 496HO and I'm ecstatic over the money I vested and what I gotten thus far in return. And I'm not saying that out of mfr loyalty neither. It's a very solid, fast, stock-single, big-water capable 29 footer that gives an outstanding return for the money...