When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Premier Boats Boundary Waters 310 SD 2012 and the Premier Boats Elite 235 RE 2011 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 Boundary Waters 310 SD 2012 measures 31,3 feet overall (2012), giving it roughly 6,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Premier Boats Elite 235 RE 2011 at 25,3 feet (2011). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Premier Boats Elite 235 RE 2011 tips the scales at 415 lbs — 366 lbs less than the Premier Boats Boundary Waters 310 SD 2012 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 Boundary Waters 310 SD 2012 has a 80-hp advantage over the Premier Boats Elite 235 RE 2011's 270-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Premier Boats Elite 235 RE 2011 carries 53 gallons versus 25 gallons in the Premier Boats Boundary Waters 310 SD 2012. 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 Boundary Waters 310 SD 2012 is rated for 20 passengers, while the Premier Boats Elite 235 RE 2011 caps at 15. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Premier Boats Boundary Waters 310 SD 2012 could be the deciding factor.