Baja 25 Outlaw vs Sunsation 288 MCOB
 

I know these boats don't really have much in common but these are what I've narrowed my search down to (so far). Both seem to have a good resale following in my area.

The 25OL because it's the largest OL I can get with a single engine. The 288 because it's just about the largest single engine boat I would consider buying. My wife loves the open bow even if unsafe at speeds.

How much better or worse do either boat handle? I probably won't be able to "test" a 288.

Is the 288 truly 28'8" of hull? I know the 25OL is 25'+ of hull.

Although the 25OL is faster with a 496HO... which will handle at speed better? Let's take 60mph... which boat will feel better in 2-3ft chop?

All input is welcome!

i have an 02 25ol and its been a great boat. i cant anwser for the ride in a 288 cause ive never been in one but as for as the baja 2-3 is nothing. when you start getting bigger it takes some driving. the 25 with a plateform is 26'4 overall. i dont believe the sunsation is a true 28. in my 25 with a 496ho little on fuel will run 70gps. from reading on here there is a guy with a new 288mcob (livewire) that is seeing like 74. im not a fan of open bow so i would go baja just for that point. i would not want to be up from at even 50 mph.

Wow - I am between two very similar boats. I like the 288 MCOB and the 26 OL. I think I am roughly a year out on making the move up. I am restricted as I rack store and I can't get too big at the marina's around here. 28's the most my marina can do.

I really like the MCOB format for the boating that I do - no over nighting. Seems that the Sunny is a bit more $$ but also seems to be a bit more boat (could be wrong here as I have never seen a 288 in person). Seems safe to assume that you can get the MAG in the Sunny and the HO in the Baja to acheive the same speeds. Which is a better "tie up" boat IMO is the best question for me. I want the speed plus the ability to take six or seven out with no problem.

Also, has anyone riden in the MCOB when traveling at slower speeds? How is it different from an open bow if they reccommend that one doens't ride up front when under speed.

Yesrej,
All you have to do is ask for a ride :D Gotcha covered in the spring.
The 288 is actually 27'8". So not a true 28 but very close with that being the wet surface. The Sunsation 288 MCOB or Closed Bow will run low 70's on a stock 496 HO. We have sold a bunch of the MCOB's and people love them. Doing 60-70mph with people up front or the bow cover on is never an issue. It is actually a great ride up front when running.

Hey Steve, I just ordered your new Closed Bow 288 cause Erin said so. :ernaehrung004:

How is that different than an open bow or deck boat? DCB makes a 140 mph deck boat?

As most bow riders are different, the open bow on the Mid Cabin is relatively higher than most. The other great feature are the mini bolsters that Sunsation and McLeod have come up with. Here is a pic of our 288 SSR open bow

I would PM Livewire to give you a call. He has been out in some big water already.

LiveWire where are ya?

That makes sense. I have rode in my dad's 180 Islander at 55 and there seemed to be no problems.

you bet your a$$ i want a ride and youi dont need to order anything, you have my boat there.
heres your choices.
1. we do an even trade for the 07 ss and i throw you a 12 pack.
2. you take my boat for trade on the ssr and i will keep you drunk for the entire summer.
really its a win win for everyone!!!

Ok I see you like to negotiate as you go along!!!

Ya know, I'm a big guy and can drink alot:D It may not work out too well for ya!

All I can say without sounding to cocky is the 288 has exceeded my expectations in every category. I was a diehard Formula guy for many years and had set my bar pretty high.The fit and finish and level of detail on the Sunsations is in class by itself.As far as rough water I have run the boat a few times offshore as well as the in the sound in 3-4' and during the Glen cove poker run had a few 4-5'.I ran the boat hard all day and only had 1 or 2 times that I took a drink over the bow.I hear guys say that you cant run the MCOB in big water but if your taking mulitple waves over the bow you'll be taking them over the cowl and into the cockpit anyway so you got other things to worry about.I make it a practice to never have any one on the bow while running at high speeds it just not a safe place to be at 70+ mph.I have had 8 people (4 kids) on the boat and have had times when I was by myself in the cockpit while eveyone else was in the cabin or on the bow.The best use of the MCOB is while anchored and hanging out ,the entire boat is useful. All I can say is I HIGHLY reccomend it and the guys at Mahopac Marine are a pleasure to deal with .Good luck Kevin

i just want to keep you reall really hung over!!

You got that list? Still debating over these 2 boats. It seems that the Sunsation 288 is 27'8" and the 25 Outlaw is actually 25' plus a swim platform I'm guess 2' for that. So these boats are actually pretty similar in size correct?

Equally powered the 288 will be faster (2-3mph) becasue of the full stepped hull and pad.

the overall with plateform is 26'4 on a 25 outlaw.

Thanks for the good photos on the comparision!

I agree with your thoughths - its all about the money... 15% - 20% more for an apples to apples Sunny is what I was getting too.

It's kind of hard to tell, but in the pics it looks like the sunny and the outlaw are about the same size. (with the swim platform on the outlaw included) Am I right or are the pictures misleading?

how fast is your bot top apeed and what prop and rpm that a nice boat

how fast is it???

I have ridden in both
 

I can honestly say that the fit and finish on the Sunny and their loyal following and company support would sell me on the boat! I have a 2002 Baja Outlaw and if I could do it all over again, I would have gone with the Sunsation. I will say the Sunny is a better fit and finish, it is faster (but it seems narrower and lighter than my 25 and stepped so go figure!). It do not believe it rides any better in rough water (add the longer sleeker design and integrated swim platform compared to the Baja and we are talking very little difference). Either way, take care of them and they will take care of you. I bought my 2002 down in Stuart FL for 59k (back when the economy was strong-would buy used from this point forward!), I think I spend 90 plus percent of my time trailering or in no wake zones or sitting at a beach or island (something to consider).

24ft outlaw
 

i have a 24ft outlaw sst w 502 mag oh wa supercharger, it rides really great in a 2 to 3 foot chop at

Here is a similar thread that I posted my comparison in last year. I owned a 25 Outlaw previously and now own a 288 Sunsation.

http://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/b...sunsation.html

How are you measuring your waves, I have yet to EVER see a 24/25 ft outlaw or a 272 that rides really great in a 3 foot chop, my 272 launches to the moon then packs your spine in the stuff. The other Baja's I have been out with and in (25 outlaw) was no better. I'm not trying to bust your balls but if your average height hold your hand about at your belt line and look down at the floor, that is about 3 foot on most people, that is pretty mean chop to be banging around in, Smitty

I think continuous 3 footers are a pain in the azzzzzz if you are boating them all day but I have had my 25 Outlaw now for 10 years and I can drive them pretty well (my passengers feel them more than me as I am driving and holding onto the wheel and throttle and can anticipate hitting them better than the people in the back seat who are looking to the side or blue skies)! I come back each your from the PCola air show and the water is like a washing machine between all the boats and the way the current flows and Escambia bay and my buddy in his 29 Baja Outlaw is amazed on how well I do as I am usually running around 45-50mph in them (I personally think it all depends if they are 3 footers and you have swells, now that'sr eally not fun like a larger lake or in the Gulf or Ocean for sure. Anything more than 3 footers and I would rather stay on the beach!

I agree 3 foot of shop and my 25 will beat you to death (as much as any other 25 or 27 foot boat). 3 foot chop is dang near over the side of the boat (most boats).

I think bang for the buck the outlaw has been a great little boat and would buy it again hands down. I dont think you can beat them for speed, price and looks. Try and keep your mind on having fun and enjoying what ever you get. Just my .02

how fast is it?? 700ponys????

short wave lengths
 

the waves length is narrow, the swells are not wide, on lake erie where i live a north wind sometimes produces deep waves with narrow wave lengths, if the swells are very wide and rollers, then for get it, i end up on the moon too. it depends on the direction of the wind

lake erie is the shallowest lake so the waves do funny things here.
also my wave depth may be a little exaggerated, but it depends on the wave length not the depth., if there are no rollers and just chop, i ride right over them, but if they swell and roll then forget it, lake erie is very shallow like i said, and creates alot of different wave conditions and the direction makes a big difference on the type and size of the wave (characteristics of the wave )

I agree, if you get the right type of 3 footer, you can get on top of them nicely and boot it, if there are swells, you're screwed and have to manage every second of throttle input you have.

I'm on Lake huron, and it's rare to get 3 footers without a swell, but i've seen it, and it's doable.

I should mention it was in a heavy 27' mirage with 2 engines, so that may have helped a bit.

a swell in the middle of those 3 footers will, as mentioned, send you to the moon.

This about 30% of the reason that i went up to a 36 foot, the other 70% was mostly living conditions. I'm tall, and it's nice to be able to stand up below deck. My 37 is not much faster, but it's 2x the weight and 10' longer, and it tackles a 4 footer like it's not there, you don't actually notice the waves until you stop.