NEW Sportsman Masters 288 Bay Boat

The Masters 288 is the next evolution of the series and the one that stretches the definition: a true hybrid bay boat, as capable in shallow water as it is running offshore. At 8.64 metres with a 2.95-metre beam, 17 degrees of transom deadrise and just 0.53 metres of draft with the engines up, it does a job that normally takes two boats.

Livewell capacity is where the tournament intent shows. Twin 79-litre livewells at the transom, a further 95-litre livewell built into the leaning post, and a high-speed scoop pickup that keeps water flowing at speed without air-locking. Two 159-litre in-deck fish boxes handle the catch, with a 45-litre console cooler and 257 litres of console storage for everything else.

Range matches the ambition: 833 litres of fuel behind up to 600 horsepower, and 91 litres of fresh water for washdown. VACS trims out up to 70 per cent of underway pitch and roll with auto trim and hole shot control, which on a shallow-deadrise hull at speed is the difference between a good day and a long one.

Construction is SportTech throughout: no-wood, all-fibreglass with vinyl ester resin, AlloChrome4200+ stainless fasteners rated beyond 4,200 hours of salt spray, Gemlux flush pull-up cleats, brass through-hull fittings, Grip-Tex yacht-style non-skid and a self-bailing cockpit that drains overboard through a collector box rather than into the bilge. NMMA certified with a 10-year limited hull warranty.

KEY SPECIFICATIONS
- Length overall: 8.64 m (28' 4")
- Beam: 2.95 m (9' 8")
- Draft, engine up: 0.53 m
- Deadrise at transom: 17 degrees
- Fuel capacity: 833 L, approx. 719 L usable
- Fresh water: 91 L
- Approx. Dry weight: 3,152 kg
- Maximum horsepower: 600 hp
- Bridge clearance with hardtop: 2.95 m
- Yacht certified

NOTABLE FEATURES
- True hybrid bay boat: shallow water capable, offshore rated
- SportTech no-wood, all-fibreglass hull with vinyl ester resin
- VACS: up to 70% pitch and roll elimination, auto trim, hole shot control
- Twin 79 L transom livewells
- 95 L leaning post livewell
- High-speed scoop livewell pickup
- Two 159 L in-deck fish boxes
- 45 L console cooler and 257 L console storage
- Dual upholstered helm seats
- Interior LED lighting package with full-cockpit blue glow
- Gemlux flush-mount pull-up cleats throughout
- AlloChrome4200+ stainless fasteners: 4,200+ hours salt spray rated
- Brass through-hull fittings
- Grip-Tex yacht-style repairable non-skid
- Self-bailing cockpit with overboard collector box drainage
- Aluminium ladder with hardtop access
- NMMA certified, 10-year limited hull warranty