The Sportsman Insider - First Looks At The Masters 288 Bay Boat - Episode 6

In Episode 6 of The Sportsman Insider, we return to the factory for a closer look at one of the most anticipated additions to the Sportsman lineup: the all-new Masters 288 Bay Boat.

Watch The Sportsman Insider Episode 6

When we last visited this project, the boat was known as the Masters 287 and existed primarily as renderings and plugs under construction. Today, it has a new name, a more clearly defined place within the Masters Series and a growing collection of completed molds that have already entered production.

From the Masters 287 to the Masters 288

Following our recent product showcase, feedback from Sportsman dealers helped shape the direction of the new model. That feedback led us to establish a new subsection within the Masters Series, separating this 28-foot hybrid from our existing traditional bay boats.

With that evolution came a new name: the Masters 288 Bay Boat.

The Masters 288 Bay Boat represents a new kind of flagship for the Masters Series. Its hybrid design is intended to combine serious tournament fishing capability with the size, comfort and confidence needed for family boating and adventures in bigger water.

At 28 feet, 4 inches long with a 9-foot, 8-inch beam, the Masters 288 provides a substantial platform while maintaining a shallow 21-inch draft. Available power reaches up to 600 horsepower, giving owners the flexibility to move between shallow inshore waters, open bays and nearshore environments.

Producing the First Hull

One of the biggest milestones featured in Episode 6 is the completion of the Masters 288 hull mold. With the mold complete, the team is preparing it to enter lamination and begin producing the first hull.

Before a new mold can be used, it must go through what is known as the Class A finishing process. The surface is carefully sanded to extremely tight tolerances before receiving multiple coats of wax. This creates the smooth surface needed to produce a clean final part while also ensuring that the completed hull releases properly from the mold.

The mold then receives a sacrificial layer of white gelcoat called a peel coat. When removed, the peel coat carries away any remaining fine dust and excess wax. Once that process is complete, the mold is ready for the colored gelcoat that will become the visible exterior finish of the first Masters 288 hull.

From there, the team applies the fiberglass and core materials that form the hull. After lamination and curing are complete, the stringer system is bonded into place and helps support the process of releasing the new hull from its mold.

Building the Masters 288 Bay Boat Console

The console has also made significant progress since its last appearance.

Large plugs like the Masters 288 console begin as milled foam before receiving primer, fiberglass and a thick layer of tooling putty. That surface must then be carefully milled and sanded until every radius and detail matches the intended final design.

Once completed, the console plug is coated in green tooling gel. This material is stronger than standard gelcoat and is designed to withstand hundreds of production cycles without scratching or cracking. Its contrasting color also makes it easier for the team to identify imperfections before they can transfer to a finished part.

Several layers of fiberglass are then applied to create a thick, durable mold. A custom steel frame with casters allows the mold to be rotated, repositioned and moved throughout production. This is especially important for a deep and complex part like the console, where access can be challenging.

The Details Behind the Finished Boat

Episode 6 also highlights the importance of the many smaller fiberglass components found throughout the boat. Many of these molds are complete, and the team is already building production parts from them.

Console footrests, storage boxes, hatch lids and other finished surfaces each require their own carefully produced molds. While these components may be smaller than the hull, deck or console, they play a major role in the overall fit and finish of the completed boat.

That same attention to detail will continue when the Masters 288 reaches the assembly line. Engineers will map out the placement of hardware, wiring harnesses and other essential systems in real time. Creating a thoughtful and consistent layout helps produce a cleaner finished boat while making future maintenance and dealer service easier.

What Comes Next

The Masters 288 deck mold is receiving its production frame. Once that work is complete, the mold will be separated from the plug, put through the Class A finishing process and moved into production. Meanwhile, many of the model's other molds are already complete and producing parts.

The next chapter begins as the major fiberglass components move into assembly and the first Masters 288 starts to come together as a complete boat. Future episodes of The Sportsman Insider will continue following that progress all the way to the model's debut at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show.

Watch Episode 6 to see the molds, craftsmanship and behind-the-scenes work bringing the Masters 288 Bay Boat to life. You can also explore the Masters 288 and learn more about its layout, specifications and features.

Designed for the days that matter.

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Go behind the scenes in The Sportsman Insider Episode 6 as the new Masters 288 moves from plugs and molds into production and toward final assembly.