Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Premier Boats 225 SunSation RE 2005 vs Premier Boats Explorer 221 RE 2011 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The Premier Boats 225 SunSation RE 2005 vs Premier Boats Explorer 221 RE 2011 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 225 SunSation RE 2005 at 22,0 ft versus Premier Boats Explorer 221 RE 2011 at 22,3 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Premier Boats 225 SunSation RE 2005 tips the scales at 235 lbs — 212 lbs more than the Premier Boats Explorer 221 RE 2011 at 23 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 Explorer 221 RE 2011 tops out at 90 hp. Engine specs for the Premier Boats 225 SunSation RE 2005 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 225 SunSation RE 2005 is rated for 11 passengers, while the Premier Boats Explorer 221 RE 2011 caps at 10. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Premier Boats 225 SunSation RE 2005 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Premier Boats 225 SunSation RE 2005 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 11 passengers and at 22,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Premier Boats Explorer 221 RE 2011 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 10 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
MakePremier Boats
MakePremier Boats
Model225 SunSation RE
ModelExplorer 221 RE
Model Year2005
Model Year2011
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Inches102
Beam - Inches102
Weight - Detail1,880 lbs. (2 tubes) 2,350 lbs. (3 tubes)
Weight - Detail1,850 lbs. (2 tubes) 2,300 lbs. (3 tubes / 30 in. PTX)
Weight - kg1065.94
Weight - kg1043.26
Weight - lbs.235
Weight - lbs.23
Length [deck]22 ft. 0 in
Length [deck]21 ft
Length - Feet22
Length - Feet22.33
Length - Inches9
Length - Inchesnot available
Length overall - Detail22 ft. 9 in
Length overall - Detail22 ft. 4 in
Length overall - Meters6.93
Length overall - Meters6.81
Length overall - Inches273
Length overall - Inches268
Pontoon and Inflatable Specific
Tube diameter23 in
Tube diameter23 in. 25 in. (upgrade)
Tube gauge.08
Tube gaugenot available
Number of tubesnot available
Number of tubes2 or 3
Engine and Drivetrain
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeOutboard
Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Detail28 gal
Fuel tank capacity - Litersnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Liters105.99
Fuel tank capacity - Galnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Gal28
Fuel typenot available
Fuel typeGas
Engine maxnot available
Engine max90 hp (2 - 23 in. tubes) 140 hp (2 - 25 in. tubes) 200 hp (3 tubes / 30 in. PTX)
Operational Info
Maximum capacity2,169 lbs. (2 tubes) 2,347 lbs. (3 tubes)
Maximum capacity2,000 lbs. (2 - 23 in. tubes) 2,400 lbs. (2 - 25 in. tubes) 2,400 lbs. (3 - 25 in. tubes)
Maximum people11
Maximum people10 (2 - 23 in. tubes) 12 (2 - 25 in. tubes) 14 (3 tubes)
Body / Hull
Hull materialnot available
Hull materialAluminum
Hull typenot available
Hull typePontoon