Who is a first time Sunsation owner
 

We would like to know who you are that has purchased a Sunsation Powerboat for the first time. New or pre-owned. What brand of boat did you come of, and why you bought a Sunsation. Love to hear from you on this thread.:cool:

Bought new and first in summer of 2001 from Extreme Offshore in Havre-De-Grace. Long story short: Most bang for the buck culminating from a year of shopping and comparing reviews in magazines; and countless OSO inputs. I wanted the "most" boat I could get that had sleek good looks; solid performance numbers in a single engine package; hull/hardware durability in mostly crappy waters; fuel economy; and the longest boat I could find (in the price range) and yet still comfortably tow with my 5.8L F-150. The 288 fit that bill and now 2.5 seasons later absolutely no regrets and no other choice made in my mind and recent experience would've performed like the 288 has in all the above categories.

Now I'm in need of a larger version with twins to heighten the experience and take on bigger waters. For all the same reasons listed above only the F-150 part will change as well....:cool:

Purchased my "new to me" Sunsation earlier this year. 2000 288 with a custom Mitcher-T graphics package. I purchased it from another board member (cap071) and could not be more pleased. Great guy to work with and I know he will end up in another Sunsation himself.

Actually, Rick is the one who turned me on to Sunsation after seeing his at Buggs Island, just after he purchased. I had a 1999 VIP Vindicator 2400. Great entry level boat into this type of boating, (although it really was exclusively a lake boat). I knew very quickly I wanted much more than I had and after a long search for just the right boat, I found my current ride.

As I said, I could not be happier with the looks, ride and performance and it will only get better as I gain more seat time. 502MPI with Lightning headers, K@N filter and best speed earlier this year was 69.4 GPS on the James River near in Richmond. After adding the headers, I need to work the prop just a bit and hitting the magic 70 mph should be no problem at all. I thought about huffing it over the winter but have since backed off that idea and will work on making it sound better while rafting. Gotta put some tunes in it!

Thanks Rick for turning me on to such a quality boat and thanks Sunsation for making it!!! This boat has really opened up the choices where I can boat and I plan on making more trips down to the beach next year.

Give me another two seasons and I am sure I will be stepping up to a 32.

I purchased my 95' 32 Dominator w/500hp's, at the end of last year. Purchased it from a guy in Illinois. Saw the ad on OSO. The ad stayed on the site for only a few days. I didn't stop at many ads that didn't have pictures, this one sounded to good not to take a look. After I saw pictures(a couple of days later), I knew it was the boat for me. It was the cleanest used boat I looked at and I looked for almost 2 years. My hull is the 13th out of the mold and it was the Hot Boat feature boat Nov/Dec 95.
A good friend of mine also has a 32' Dominator and another good friend has a 303 Formula. I really wanted the 303, but he wasn't ready to sell.
Due to a rainy spring, I didn't get to use it as much as I would have liked to this year.
I am very pleased with The Sunsation and everyone I have talked to at the factory. I have called several times to get information. Thanks and keep up the good work!

Well I should be the owner of a new 288 sometime in February or March.

I just wish I could start using before May 1 when my in/out service starts.

I am now. Boat is done and pics are posted.

Just can't wait for the spring time!!!

Dave

After looking and reading about Sunsation for a long time, I purchased new to me a bank repossesed 2001 Dominator. After a sea trial, I was not happy with the ride. The back end was all over the place. Hard to believe after 125 Hours of use there was that much slack in the steering system. I still made the purchased.
I trailered the boat home 8 hours using my Z71 with no problems. Another benefit was to get a 32' boat without buying a new bigger truck.
Now I am waiting for the shop to fix the steering so I can get some serious ass time in. Photo's can been viewed at WWW.GCoffshore.com Boat of the month.

By the way Sunsation is not very popular here in South Louisana/ Gulf Coast area maybe 1 other boat, but I have had nothing but rave reviews from my boating friends who have never seen one upclose before.

Steve

Red Thunder.. I read you posting here. I am responding to you on your steering and it seems to me that your Sunsation does not have full hydraulic steering which was an option in 2001.That will take care of the problem.All 32 Sunsations are now standard with full hydrauic steering. and it is night and day. Add the IMCO system to your Sunsation, you will never run a boat with out it. GORGEOUS BOAT. GOOD LUCK!

I will never buy another boat without full hydraulic steering. If it does`nt have it when I buy it, I`ll put it on.

I sold my boat to Mlitefan and now I wish I still had her! LOVED the boat over my old checkmate n Baja NO comparing. Just wish pop-up cleats were on the boat. Best looking boat in that class and most options and style for the $$ a single that does pretty much almost 70 all day when everyone else in that class has twins, and they are either NO faster or only 2 mph faster :)

Red what did you pay 4 that sweet azz ride? :)

CAPO71
I'd hate to say but I thought it was a good deal. Such a good deal, I now own 2 boats. Trying to sell the other one. I didn't know what to expect from a repo. The bank wanted to get it off of the books. Your right pop up cleats would be nice along with a front anchor locker.

Denny
As far as the steering ,any boat built to do 80mph like this one should of had external hyd steering as a standard feature not an option. But having a selling price $7000 less is an advantage. I would think Sunsation would want the best possible ride for their customers. Either way I love this boat and will do whats right.

I would like to hear from other Dominator owners who have regular steering. Happy with the ride or did you switch over.

Red Thunder, When I joined the Sunsation team three years ago, we made changes and improvements. The full hydraulic steering is now standard on 2004 32 Dominators and Innovators, and is required on all Blue Racing Merc application on the 288.:)

The goal is to always improve year after year. I think the Algonac boyz are doing just that. But Red you are correct. Any twin application for safety's sake should have the hydraulics. But I would think the "option" without was probably to give the buyer an opportunity to shop and install his own later and not finance that part.

I know with my "single" 496HO in the 288 it would've been great to have at least a partial setup especially when running in the slop like I do consistently...Good luck and no matter what, you're gonna end up with a lot of ride for the money you spend...

First time owner
 

I purchased a new 32 Dominator in 2002. My previous boat was a 2000, 32 Fountain. In my opinion, the Dominator has a better ride in rough water and quicker acceleration. I used to get wet in the Fountain when it was rough. It also handles much better around the docks. The Fountain is a good boat, but the aggressive step in the hull acts as a plow when your in reverse. I also get a little more speed with 454 Efi mags in the Dominator then I did with 502's Efi mags in the Fountain. My Dominator did not have the full hydraulic steering option and I did not feel in control at full speed. I purchased Imco full hydraulic from Sunsation and installed it myself. Barrie helped me with good advise. All the hoses were the right length and the installation was not difficult. The hardest part was to get at the tab washer to remove the existing steering cylinder. Day and night change in handling and a fair price as well. If you don't have it, put it on. You will be very happy with the control and safety it provides.

Wildcard, Thank you !!!!! for explaining The Real Deal and how you compare your Sunsation 32 Dominator.:D

Thanks Wildcard for that real-world perspective. Looking forward to my own perpective on it...:cool:

Wildcard
What props are you using? RPM and speed? Thanks for your candid steering results. The shop tightened the gimble swivel pin connection. It feels a lot better. When the weather gets better will see what difference it made. Now I'am working on Toe-in dimension.

Red Thunder: I am using Bravo 4 blade 28" pitch props and can turn 5050 to 5100 rpm's at a top end of 80mph on a good day. I can always get 78 mph recorded on a Garmin 182 GPS. I have stainless marine exhaust with Corsa 5.5"silencer tips, Arizona Speed and Marine reprogrammed ECM with Hardin Marine flame arrestors. I boat in fresh water in a cool area of NY at about 100' above sea level. I can't expect any more out of stock 454 mags. I just love the acceleration and smooth ride. The boat is a pleasure to drive. I am sure you will like yours once you get to know it. The hydraulic steering makes a (BIG) improvement . It is well worth the money if you can do it. It will also raise the value of the boat. I wish you the best. Good Luck.