When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Premier Boats 310 Sky Dek RE 2011 and the Premier Boats SunSation X-Series 160 RE 2007 are pontoon designs with aluminum construction — the buying decision usually comes down to a handful of practical questions: how many people are you putting on the water, how far do you trailer, and what does your tow vehicle weigh?

Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Premier Boats 310 Sky Dek RE 2011 measures 31,3 feet overall (2011), giving it roughly 16,3 additional feet of deck space compared to the Premier Boats SunSation X-Series 160 RE 2007 at 15,0 feet (2007). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Premier Boats SunSation X-Series 160 RE 2007 tips the scales at 875 lbs — 826 lbs less than the Premier Boats 310 Sky Dek RE 2011 at 49 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 power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 350 hp, the Premier Boats 310 Sky Dek RE 2011 has a 300-hp advantage over the Premier Boats SunSation X-Series 160 RE 2007's 50-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Premier Boats 310 Sky Dek RE 2011 is rated for 25 passengers, while the Premier Boats SunSation X-Series 160 RE 2007 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 310 Sky Dek RE 2011 could be the deciding factor.

Both are 3-tube and 2-tube pontoon designs respectively. Tube diameter and gauge affect stability and load capacity — more so than most buyers realize when comparing on paper.