The Premier Boats 180 Explorer 2004 vs Premier Boats SunSation 160 RE 2006 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.
On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Premier Boats 180 Explorer 2004 at 18,0 ft versus Premier Boats SunSation 160 RE 2006 at 15,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Premier Boats SunSation 160 RE 2006 tips the scales at 875 lbs — 864 lbs less than the Premier Boats 180 Explorer 2004 at 11 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 Premier Boats SunSation 160 RE 2006 tops out at 50 hp. Engine specs for the Premier Boats 180 Explorer 2004 aren't listed — confirm with a dealer before selecting an outboard.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Premier Boats 180 Explorer 2004 is rated for 8 passengers, while the Premier Boats SunSation 160 RE 2006 caps at 7. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Premier Boats 180 Explorer 2004 could be the deciding factor.
Both are inflatable designs, which means they pack down for compact storage, can be carried in a bag, and are dramatically lighter than equivalent rigid hulls. The trade-off is setup time and the need to monitor tube pressure regularly.
Bottom line: Choose the Premier Boats 180 Explorer 2004 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 8 passengers and at 18,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Premier Boats SunSation 160 RE 2006 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 7 that costs less to run day-to-day.