Hey everyone, I'm new to this site. I'm in the research stage of buying a new to me boat. My budget is 70k. I know an open bow is the only boat my wife will approve. Boats I'm currently looking at are as follows:
Checkmate 270br
Baja Islander 277
Sunsation 288 mcob

The sunsation is the only boat that does not have a 24 degree deadrise at transom. Will the 288 ride as well as the others in 3-4 foot chop? My wife and I want a smooth ride in rough water. I know Sunsation is a much better boat in terms of overall workmanship and quality.
But how is it in the rough compared to the others? Thanks for your input!

You can find a 32 openbow Sun under the 70k mark. The 288 is 24 degree pad bottom boat. Should run better than the other 2 mentioned.

You'll need a bigger boat then 27' to 28' to get a smooth ride in 3-4'ers no matter the builder.

None of the open bows you mentioned are going to be good rough water boats, if you are set on sunsation (I wouldn't be) then for 70k a first generation dominator would be the way to go. Still won't be a great rough water boat but manageable. Sunsations are laid up light to get more speed and with the pad bottom on top of that the rough stuff just isn't where they shine. To each their own though. Good luck with your search

I've owned both the 288 & 32 over the course of the last 11 years and logged hundreds of hours in each on the lower Chesapeake Bay (call it the Atlantic Ocean) and been caught more times than I care to remember on return trips from long runs in some crazy snotty stuff, and I'm just not getting all the it's a light boat therefore equals bad ride. Tons of very large, heavy boats that run like crap in the rough (Black Thunder comes to mind). All those comments couldn't be more wrong or presumptive. Half the battle in any size/weight boat in washing machine snot is the experience, skill, and general boat handling skills of the driver. Guarantee the lower Chesapeake rough stuff trumps anything a lake (Superior in a gale aside) can dish out. Let's just say i have no problem with mine and decided against moving up a few years ago cause I'm satisfied. As with all purchase decisions between makes, go ride, use your gut instincts and "feel" test driving and you'll be able to tell.....again, experience and boat savvy plays heavy in how a boat handles.

Take a look at the 292 Islander also. My wife would only approve an open bow also but the 292 also has a decent size cuddy. My 292 Islander handles rough water at LOTO great, will hold 12 people (8 people can spread stretch out everywhere), and still hit decent speeds for a big single engine boat.

At the KY lake fun run, BigRedBaja was there with his 288 Sunny MCOB. While I was topped out at 50mph with 8 people and 120 gallons of fuel, he easily ran off and left me (65+mph I would assume with 3 people). When we tied up later that day, I realized that a 288 hull would fit inside my 292 hull (for comparison). Due to the very rough water at LOTO, I'm glad we went with size over speed.

As far as the 277 Islander, its based on the 26 Outlaw hull so it performs pretty well but... My wife and I checked out a brand new "leftover" 277 at the St. Louis boat show this year. After spending some time inside, we were both unimpressed compared to our 292.

I am still getting used to the sunny, but I had it out this weekend from the Chaboygan river to Mackinaw Island. I think about 13 miles, We hit some 3 & 4 footers, It took a bit of time to get the trim right, but when we got it dialed in we ran great at about 55 to 60 mph.

Granted Reckless driver input is needed with the Sunsation but he's asking the impossible out of that size boat if he's going constant 3-4'ers.
Not a light lay-up on the 288 considering it's a fairly small 28'r as to other 28' hulls, as is the early 32's and like most moderen hulls their balsa cored yet very capable, the 32' will supprise many in what water it will handle but he's not asking about a 32. I personally wouldn't touch a Baja liner built boat and having been in a 270 mid cabin Convincor and 288 Sunny I'd take the 28 Sunny for the rough though the Convincor is a close second.

A 29' Laveycraft is a hair smaller than a 32 Sunny and way bigger than a 288. It's less expensive and IMO is better in the rough. IMO Sunny makes the best looking boat, but Lavycraft is a better performer in the rough. If you are in constant 3-4' remember to constantly checking things, your are going have parts come loose and break more often than others in smaller water. What ever boat you decide to get, make sure you ride on it first, especially if you're gonna be in that kind of water consistently. Good Luck

You want a boat in that size that is better in rough water look sonic, active thunder, pantera or even Baja for that matter...... if top speed is the name of your game then you want sunsation, velocity, fountain.... step or pad bottom vs. An old school strait V. Even the fountains are slightly heavier the the other two mentioned. If 70k is you budget id go 32 dominator or 31 sonic, 32 fever. Plenty of running surface and the 32 dominators have nice cabins in them also. All nice boats but if your going for rough water comfort I personally would stay away from a sunsation288 and go strait to the dominator with that type of budget. Just my 2 cents good luck and they all are fun and nice boats!