Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Premier Boats 235 Legend ES 2005 vs Premier Boats SunSation LTD 180 2008: Same Brand, Different Boat
The Premier Boats 235 Legend ES 2005 vs Premier Boats SunSation LTD 180 2008 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 Premier Boats 235 Legend ES 2005 measures 23,0 feet overall (2005), giving it roughly 6,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Premier Boats SunSation LTD 180 2008 at 17,0 feet (2008). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Premier Boats 235 Legend ES 2005 tips the scales at 2 350 lbs - 1 050 lbs more than the Premier Boats SunSation LTD 180 2008 at 1 300 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 LTD 180 2008 tops out at 75 hp. Engine specs for the Premier Boats 235 Legend ES 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 235 Legend ES 2005 is rated for 11 passengers, while the Premier Boats SunSation LTD 180 2008 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 SunSation LTD 180 2008 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
ModelSunSation LTD 180
Model Year2005
Model Year2008
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam8 ft. 6 in.
Beam8 ft. 6 in.
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Inches102
Beam - Inches102
Weight - Detail1,980 lbs. (2 tubes) 2,350 lbs. (3 tubes)
Weight - Detail1,100 lbs. (2 tubes) 1,300 lbs. (3 tubes)
Weight - kg1065.94
Weight - kg589.67
Weight - lbs.2350
Weight - lbs.1300
Length [deck]22 ft. 8 in.
Length [deck]17 ft. 0 in.
Length - Feet23
Length - Feet17
Length - Inches5
Length - Inches4
Length overall - Detail23 ft. 5 in.
Length overall - Detail17 ft. 4 in.
Length overall - Meters7.14
Length overall - Meters5.28
Length overall - Inches281
Length overall - Inches208
Pontoon and Inflatable Specific
Tube diameter25 in.
Tube diameter25 in.
Tube gauge0.09
Tube gaugenot available
Number of tubesnot available
Number of tubes2
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 - Detailnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Liters113.56
Fuel tank capacity - Litersnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Gal30
Fuel tank capacity - Galnot available
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeOutboard
Fuel typenot available
Fuel typeGas
Engine maxnot available
Engine max75 hp (2 tubes) 100 hp (3 tubes/30 in. PTX)
Operational Info
Maximum capacity2,413 lbs. (2 tubes) 2,488 lbs. (3 tubes)
Maximum capacity1,950 lbs. (2 tubes) 2,235 lbs. (3 tubes)
Maximum people11
Maximum people10 (2 tubes) 11 (3 tubes)
Body / Hull
Hull materialnot available
Hull materialAluminum
Hull thicknessnot available
Hull thickness0.090 gauge (with 0.100 nosecones)
Hull typenot available
Hull typePontoon