We reviewed the Sportsman Open 282 TE less than five years ago (time flies, we know), so it might seem a bit surprising that Sportsman Boats has already decided to replace the model. At least, it might until you get a gander at the latest version — because the all-new 282 is so jam-packed with big-boat features it seems like it should have several more feet of LOA.

Sportsman Open 282 Center Console Boat Review

Sportsman Open 282 center console boat underway running. Photo via: Stone Harbor Yacht Sales in New Jersey.


At The Stern: Power Options


One thing that hasn’t changed from the old model 282 to this new version is the power options. You can have a pair of Yamaha F200s or F300s mounted on the transom. With 600 horses you can look for 4500 rpm cruising speeds in the mid-40s, with a top-end pushing darn close to the 60-mph mark. Truth be told the F200s will probably provide plenty of oomph for most folks, with a cruise in the mid-30s and a top-end in the upper 40s.

Sportsman 282 Open Center Console

The Sportsman Open 282 center console boat can be powered with twin outboard engines available in two optional power packages. Photo via: Stone Harbor Yacht Sales in New Jersey.


Aft Deck And Cockpit Layout


Standing in the cockpit of this boat you’d never confuse it for its predecessor. The new Open 282 has a different transom layout, incorporating a center fold-out bench seat flanked on either side by livewells. And these are no average livewells. They have a healthy 30 gallons of capacity, high-speed pick-ups, are finished in baby blue inside, and have clear viewing ports on the front. That’s the kind of set-up you’d hope to see — but don’t always find — on boats in the 32- or 34-foot class.

Just forward of the wells there’s a pair of 35-gallon insulated, macerated fishboxes in the deck. And in-between them, a compartment that’s Seakeeper-ready. The Seakeeper gyroscopic stabilization system itself is an option, but one which has been making its way into smaller and smaller boats as they’ve developed smaller model gyros. And this gives Sportsman another way to equip the Open 282 to punch above its weight class.

Fishing Features: Packed To The Gills


The same is true if you keep moving forward in the boat and check out the tackle station built into the back of the leaning post. It has a rigging station with a sink on top, a bulk pull-out tackle drawer, six pull-out tackle boxes behind hatches, and a swing-down hatch with yet another pair of tackle boxes. While you’re standing there, glance to either side and you’ll note that there are side-entry doors in both gunwales. Then glance up at the hard top, and you’ll see that it’s integrated with the three-sided enclosure at the helm and has aft supports running to the leaning post plus four rocket launchers down low and five up top. Stereo speakers, lights, an electronics box, and standard flush-mounted VHF are all integrated. Again, this is all stuff you’d hope to see on bigger boats. But a 28-footer? Not likely.

At The Helm: A Big Boat Feel


An item that is again reminiscent of larger, pricier boats: the switching and electronics systems. The Open 282 is wired with a SeaStar Maximus Digital Switching system, and is integrated with Sportsman’s SportLink Electronics Integration. This ties together the standard Garmin electronics, on this model a 12-inch GPSMAP 1243xsv (a second unit is optional), with the Fusion Apollo RA670 stereo system as well as the boat’s NMEA 2000 digital backbone. Not only can you control everything from pumps to lights right on the Garmin’s screen, you also get a keyless FOB and/or can tap into the system via WiFi and use the ActiveCaptain app right from your cell phone.

Sportsman 282 Open Center Console

The 2022 Sportsman Open 282 center console has a somewhat refreshed helm and console area with a head inside the console cabin. Photo via: Stone Harbor Yacht Sales in New Jersey.


Console And Bow Area: Fresh Updates


From the console forward the design has been given a refresh, but major components and layout haven’t changed much. Naturally there’s a head compartment inside the console, and a forward console seat with a cooler underneath. In the bow the forward seats (with insulated stowage compartments so they can do double-duty as fishboxes or coolers) have removable backrests, and there’s a center filler. Also note that there are foot controls up forward for the through-stem anchor windlass. The center of the bowdeck is actuated and rises up to become a dinette table, or can be set mid-height so you can add a filler cushion and turn the entire bow into a sunpad.

Sportsman 282

The 2022 Sportsman Open 282 center console has a great bow area with angled forward seating that makes for a very comfortable place to ride and enjoy the sun on the water. Photo via: Stone Harbor Yacht Sales in New Jersey.


Standard Features: Uncommonly Big


Even the standard features list on this boat is uncommonly big-boat-ish but it turns out there is more! Underwater lights, digital electric steering, a 20-gallon freshwater system, not four but six gunwale-mount rodholders, an Airmar B60 through-hull transducer, an electrically-actuated windshield vent, and Premium Sileather Marine silicon fabrics are all included on the stock boat.

In truth, the new Open 282 is a larger vessel than the old version. LOA has grown by three inches, and beam by seven inches. But it’s also true that this boat is designed and equipped more like a 30-something-footer. It’s no wonder Sportsman sees it as an improvement — but we do have to wonder how the heck they managed to fit that much boat into a 28-foot package.

Pricing


The 2022 Sportsman Open 282 starts at $160,995 (MSRP $224,650) rigged with twin Yamaha F200XCA outboard engines. Buyers can also opt for the larger twin Yamaha F300XSB outboards (available in white only) for $185,995 (MSRP $259,530).

Specifications:

LOA – 28’5”
Beam – 9’10”
Draft (min) – 1’9”
Displacement – 7,224 lbs.
Transom Deadrise – 22 degrees
Fuel Capacity –230 gal.
Freshwater Capacity – 20 gal.
Max. Power – 600 hp

See Sportsman Open 282 boats for sale on boats.com today.

Visit Sportsman Boats for more information.

Written by: Lenny Rudow
With over two decades of experience in marine journalism, Lenny Rudow has contributed to publications including YachtWorld, boats.com, Boating Magazine, Marlin Magazine, Boating World, Saltwater Sportsman, Texas Fish & Game, and many others. Lenny is a graduate of the Westlawn School of Yacht Design, and he has won numerous BWI and OWAA writing awards.
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