Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Palm Beach Fishing 161 2006 vs Palm Beach Pontoons CastMaster Deluxe SE 2009 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The Palm Beach Fishing 161 2006 vs Palm Beach Pontoons CastMaster Deluxe SE 2009 comparison sits squarely in the category of decisions where specs alone won't tell the whole story — intended use, storage, and long-term ownership costs all factor in.
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Palm Beach Pontoons CastMaster Deluxe SE 2009 measures 22,0 feet overall (2009), giving it roughly 7,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Palm Beach Fishing 161 2006 at 15,0 feet (2006). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Palm Beach Fishing 161 2006 tips the scales at 975 lbs — 788 lbs more than the Palm Beach Pontoons CastMaster Deluxe SE 2009 at 187 lbs. That difference is meaningful if you're working within a half-ton or three-quarter-ton truck's tow rating, especially once you factor in a motor, gear, and fuel.
The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 115 hp, the Palm Beach Pontoons CastMaster Deluxe SE 2009 has a 40-hp advantage over the Palm Beach Fishing 161 2006's 75-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Palm Beach Pontoons CastMaster Deluxe SE 2009 is rated for 10 passengers, while the Palm Beach Fishing 161 2006 caps at 4. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Palm Beach Pontoons CastMaster Deluxe SE 2009 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Palm Beach Pontoons CastMaster Deluxe SE 2009 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 10 passengers and at 22,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Palm Beach Fishing 161 2006 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 4 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
MakePalm Beach Fishing
MakePalm Beach Pontoons
Model161
ModelCastMaster Deluxe SE
Model Year2006
Model Year2009
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam - Meters2.08
Beam - Meters2.44
Beam - Inches82
Beam - Inches96
Deadrise12°
Deadrisenot available
Draft [drive up] - Detail5 in
Draft [drive up] - Detailnot available
Draft [drive up] meters0.13
Draft [drive up] metersnot available
Draft [drive up] inches5
Draft [drive up] inchesnot available
Draft [max] - Detail7 in
Draft [max] - Detailnot available
Draft [max] - Meters0.18
Draft [max] - Metersnot available
Draft [max] - Inches7
Draft [max] - Inchesnot available
Weight - Detail975 lbs
Weight - Detail1,870 lbs
Weight - kg442.25
Weight - kg848.22
Weight - lbs.975
Weight - lbs.187
Height [transom]20 in
Height [transom]not available
Length - Feet15
Length - Feet22
Length - Inches1
Length - Inchesnot available
Length overall - Detail15 ft. 10 in
Length overall - Detail22 ft. 0 in
Length overall - Meters4.83
Length overall - Meters6.71
Length overall - Inches19
Length overall - Inches264
Length [deck]not available
Length [deck]22 ft. Enclosed: 18 ft. 6 in
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail23 gal
Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Liters87.06
Fuel tank capacity - Litersnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Gal23
Fuel tank capacity - Galnot available
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeOutboard
Engine max75 hp
Engine max115 hp
Fuel typenot available
Fuel typeGas
Operational Info
Maximum people4
Maximum people10 @ 1,430 lbs
Maximum capacitynot available
Maximum capacity2,170 lbs
Body / Hull
Hull materialnot available
Hull materialAluminum
Hull typenot available
Hull typePontoon
Pontoon and Inflatable Specific
Tube diameternot available
Tube diameter23 in
Tube gaugenot available
Tube gauge0.08 in