Premier Boats 300 Boundary Waters 2004 boat specs
Premier Boats
Premier Boats 300 Boundary Waters 2004
2004
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VS
Premier Boats Explorer 201 2012 boat specs
Premier Boats
Premier Boats Explorer 201 2012
2012
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Premier Boats 300 Boundary Waters 2004 vs Premier Boats Explorer 201 2012 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Premier Boats 300 Boundary Waters 2004 vs Premier Boats Explorer 201 2012 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 300 Boundary Waters 2004 measures 27,0 feet overall (2004), giving it roughly 6,6 additional feet of deck space compared to the Premier Boats Explorer 201 2012 at 20,4 feet (2012). At 31 lbs and 19 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 201 2012 tops out at 75 hp. Engine specs for the Premier Boats 300 Boundary Waters 2004 aren't listed — confirm with a dealer before selecting an outboard.Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Premier Boats Explorer 201 2012 carries 27 gallons versus 3 gallons in the Premier Boats 300 Boundary Waters 2004. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Premier Boats 300 Boundary Waters 2004 is rated for 15 passengers, while the Premier Boats Explorer 201 2012 caps at 8. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Premier Boats 300 Boundary Waters 2004 could be the deciding factor.

The Premier Boats 300 Boundary Waters 2004 is an inflatable design — lighter, easier to store, and quicker to launch from a beach or dock without a slipway. The Premier Boats Explorer 201 2012 is a rigid hull, which typically offers a more confident ride in chop and easier maintenance over the long term.

Bottom line: Choose the Premier Boats 300 Boundary Waters 2004 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 15 passengers and at 27,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Premier Boats Explorer 201 2012 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 8 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
MakePremier Boats
MakePremier Boats
Model300 Boundary Waters
ModelExplorer 201
Model Year2004
Model Year2012
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam8 ft. 6 in
Beam8 ft. 6 in
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Inches102
Beam - Inches102
Weight - Detail2,700 lbs. (2 tubes) 3,100 lbs. (3 tubes)
Weight - Detail1,600 lbs. (2 - 23 in. tubes) 1,820 lbs. (2 - 25 in. tubes) 1,900 lbs. (3 tubes - 30 in. PTX)
Weight - kg1406.14
Weight - kg861.82
Weight - lbs.31
Weight - lbs.19
Length - Feet27
Length - Feet20.42
Length overall - Detail27 ft. 0 in
Length overall - Detail20 ft. 5 in
Length overall - Meters8.23
Length overall - Meters6.22
Length overall - Inches324
Length overall - Inches245
Length [deck]not available
Length [deck]19 ft
Pontoon and Inflatable Specific
Tube diameter25 in
Tube diameter23 in. 25 in. (upgrade)
Number of tubes2
Number of tubes2 or 3
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine/s standard150 hp (2) 225 hp (3) 250 hp (PTX)
Engine/s standardnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Detail30 gal
Fuel tank capacity - Detail27 gal
Fuel tank capacity - Liters113.56
Fuel tank capacity - Liters102.21
Fuel tank capacity - Gal3
Fuel tank capacity - Gal27
Drive typeOutBoard
Drive typeOutboard
Fuel typenot available
Fuel typeGas
Engine maxnot available
Engine max75 hp (2 - 23 in. tubes) 80 hp (2 - 25 in. tubes) 125 hp (3 tubes - 30 in. PTX)
Operational Info
Maximum capacity2,770 lbs
Maximum capacity1,750 lbs. (2 - 23 in. tubes) 1,750 lbs. (2 - 25 in. tubes) 2,360 lbs. (3 tubes - 30 in. PTX)
Maximum people15
Maximum people8 (2 - 23 in. tubes) 10 (2 - 25 in. tubes) 12 (3 tubes - 30 in. PTX)
Body / Hull
Hull materialnot available
Hull materialAluminum
Hull typenot available
Hull typePontoon

Premier Boats 300 Boundary Waters 2004 vs Premier Boats Explorer 201 2012 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Premier Boats 300 Boundary Waters 2004 or the Premier Boats Explorer 201 2012?
The Premier Boats 300 Boundary Waters 2004 is the longer of the two at 27,0 feet overall. The Premier Boats Explorer 201 2012 comes in at 20,4 feet, making it roughly 6,6 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.
Which is easier to trailer — the Premier Boats 300 Boundary Waters 2004 or the Premier Boats Explorer 201 2012?
For trailering, the Premier Boats Explorer 201 2012 has the edge at 19 lbs dry weight versus 31 lbs for the Premier Boats 300 Boundary Waters 2004. Add a motor (typically 300–500 lbs for an outboard in this class), gear, and a partial fuel load and the difference grows. Lighter is friendlier on smaller tow vehicles and on fuel economy while hauling.
What is the maximum horsepower rating for these boats?
The Premier Boats Explorer 201 2012 has a documented max rating of 75 hp. Engine specifications for the Premier Boats 300 Boundary Waters 2004 were not available in our database — check the OEM spec sheet or manufacturer's website for confirmation.
How many people can each boat hold?
The Premier Boats 300 Boundary Waters 2004 is Coast Guard rated for 15 passengers, while the Premier Boats Explorer 201 2012 is certified for 8. Note that legal capacity and comfortable capacity aren't always the same thing — on a full day out, most experienced boaters aim for about 80% of the rated number to keep things comfortable.
Do these boats require an oversize trailer permit to tow on US highways?
Both the Premier Boats 300 Boundary Waters 2004 and Premier Boats Explorer 201 2012 share an 8 ft. 6 in beam — meaning both sit right at the 8’6" threshold that most US states use for standard-width loads. In most states you can tow at that width without a special permit, but regulations vary. Always check the rules for your state and any states you'll be passing through before your first long haul.
Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Premier Boats 300 Boundary Waters 2004 or the Premier Boats Explorer 201 2012?
The Premier Boats Explorer 201 2012 has the bigger tank at 27 gallons, versus 3 gallons on the Premier Boats 300 Boundary Waters 2004. That 24-gallon difference translates to roughly 72–120 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.
Are the Premier Boats 300 Boundary Waters 2004 and Premier Boats Explorer 201 2012 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Premier Boats 300 Boundary Waters 2004 and the Premier Boats Explorer 201 2012 are built by Premier Boats. That means shared dealer networks, common parts availability, and consistent build quality across the line. The choice between them is essentially a question of how much boat you need, not which brand you trust.