Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Premier Boats 235 Legend ES 2005 vs Premier Boats Explorer 221 RE 2011: Same Brand, Different Boat
The Premier Boats 235 Legend ES 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 235 Legend ES 2005 at 23,0 ft versus Premier Boats Explorer 221 RE 2011 at 22,3 ft. At 2 350 lbs and 2 300 lbs respectively, both sit in a similar weight class - either should pair comfortably with most mid-size SUVs and half-ton trucks, though always confirm your specific tow rating with the motor added.
The Premier Boats Explorer 221 RE 2011 tops out at 90 hp. Engine specs for the Premier Boats 235 Legend ES 2005 aren't listed - confirm with a dealer before selecting an outboard.Both carry nearly identical fuel loads - 30 gal and 28 gal - so range won't be a tiebreaker here.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Premier Boats 235 Legend ES 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 235 Legend ES 2005 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Premier Boats 235 Legend ES 2005 if your priority is putting more people on the water - it handles 11 passengers and at 23,0 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
Model235 Legend ES
ModelExplorer 221 RE
Model Year2005
Model Year2011
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam8 ft. 6 in.
Beam8.5 ft.
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Inches102
Beam - Inches102
Weight - Detail1,980 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.2350
Weight - lbs.2300
Length [deck]22 ft. 8 in.
Length [deck]21 ft.
Length - Feet23
Length - Feet22.33
Length - Inches5
Length - Inchesnot available
Length overall - Detail23 ft. 5 in.
Length overall - Detail22 ft. 4 in.
Length overall - Meters7.14
Length overall - Meters6.81
Length overall - Inches281
Length overall - Inches268
Pontoon and Inflatable Specific
Tube diameter25 in.
Tube diameter23 in. 25 in. (upgrade)
Tube gauge0.09
Tube gaugenot available
Number of tubesnot available
Number of tubes2 or 3
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine/s standard135 hp (2 tubes) 200 hp (3 tubes) 200 hp (PTX)
Engine/s standardnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Detail30 gal.
Fuel tank capacity - Detail28 gal.
Fuel tank capacity - Liters113.56
Fuel tank capacity - Liters105.99
Fuel tank capacity - Gal30
Fuel tank capacity - Gal28
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeOutboard
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 capacity2,413 lbs. (2 tubes) 2,488 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