The Premier Boats 360 Wide Dek 2004 vs Premier Boats Explorer 171 2006 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 360 Wide Dek 2004 measures 37,0 feet overall (2004), giving it roughly 20,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Premier Boats Explorer 171 2006 at 17,0 feet (2006). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Premier Boats Explorer 171 2006 tips the scales at 875 lbs — 810 lbs less than the Premier Boats 360 Wide Dek 2004 at 65 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 2006 tops out at 60 hp. Engine specs for the Premier Boats 360 Wide Dek 2004 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 360 Wide Dek 2004 is rated for 24 passengers, while the Premier Boats Explorer 171 2006 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 360 Wide Dek 2004 could be the deciding factor.

Both are inflatable designs, which means they pack down for compact storage, can be carried in a bag, and are dramatically lighter than equivalent rigid hulls. The trade-off is setup time and the need to monitor tube pressure regularly. Tube diameter differs: 25 in. / 36 in on the Premier Boats 360 Wide Dek 2004 vs 23 in on the Premier Boats Explorer 171 2006 — larger tubes generally mean more buoyancy and a drier, more stable ride.