The Premier Boats 250 Alante 2005 vs Premier Boats Explorer 171 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.
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Premier Boats 250 Alante 2005 measures 24,0 feet overall (2005), giving it roughly 6,7 additional feet of deck space compared to the Premier Boats Explorer 171 RE 2011 at 17,3 feet (2011). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Premier Boats 250 Alante 2005 tips the scales at 245 lbs — 230 lbs more than the Premier Boats Explorer 171 RE 2011 at 15 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 171 RE 2011 tops out at 50 hp. Engine specs for the Premier Boats 250 Alante 2005 aren't listed — confirm with a dealer before selecting an outboard.Both carry nearly identical fuel loads — 25 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 250 Alante 2005 is rated for 14 passengers, while the Premier Boats Explorer 171 RE 2011 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 250 Alante 2005 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Premier Boats 250 Alante 2005 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 14 passengers and at 24,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Premier Boats Explorer 171 RE 2011 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 7 that costs less to run day-to-day.