Premier Boats Cast-A-Way 221 2013 boat specs
Premier Boats
Premier Boats Cast-A-Way 221 2013
2013
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VS
Premier Boats Explorer 241 2006 boat specs
Premier Boats
Premier Boats Explorer 241 2006
2006
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Premier Boats Cast-A-Way 221 2013 vs Premier Boats Explorer 241 2006 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Premier Boats Cast-A-Way 221 2013 vs Premier Boats Explorer 241 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.

On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Premier Boats Cast-A-Way 221 2013 at 22,4 ft versus Premier Boats Explorer 241 2006 at 25,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Premier Boats Cast-A-Way 221 2013 tips the scales at 205 lbs — 184 lbs more than the Premier Boats Explorer 241 2006 at 21 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.

Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling — 115 hp for the Premier Boats Cast-A-Way 221 2013 and 135 hp for the Premier Boats Explorer 241 2006. Real-world performance will come down more to which motor is actually bolted on, its load at the time, and whether it's a 4-stroke or 2-stroke setup.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Premier Boats Explorer 241 2006 is rated for 13 passengers, while the Premier Boats Cast-A-Way 221 2013 caps at 11. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Premier Boats Explorer 241 2006 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Premier Boats Explorer 241 2006 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 13 passengers and at 25,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Premier Boats Cast-A-Way 221 2013 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 11 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
MakePremier Boats
MakePremier Boats
ModelCast-A-Way 221
ModelExplorer 241
Model Year2013
Model Year2006
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam8 ft. 6 in
Beam8 ft. 6 in
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Inches102
Beam - Inches102
Weight - Detail1,950 lbs. (2 tubes) 2,050 lbs. (3 tubes)
Weight - Detail1,700 lbs. (2 tubes) 2,100 lbs. (3 tubes)
Weight - kg929.86
Weight - kg952.54
Weight - lbs.205
Weight - lbs.21
Length [deck]21 ft
Length [deck]22 ft. 7 in
Length - Feet22.42
Length - Feet25
Length overall - Detail22 ft. 5 in
Length overall - Detail25 ft. 3 in
Length overall - Meters6.83
Length overall - Meters7.7
Length overall - Inches269
Length overall - Inches303
Length - Inchesnot available
Length - Inches3
Body / Hull
Hull materialAluminum
Hull materialnot available
Hull typePontoon
Hull typenot available
Pontoon and Inflatable Specific
Tube diameter25 in
Tube diameter25 in
Number of tubes2 or 3
Number of tubesnot available
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail28 gal
Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Liters105.99
Fuel tank capacity - Litersnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Gal28
Fuel tank capacity - Galnot available
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typenot available
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeOutboard
Engine max115 hp (2 tubes) 175 hp (3 tubes)
Engine max135 hp (2 tubes) 200 hp (3 tubes)
Operational Info
Maximum capacity2,245 lbs. (2 tubes) 2,665 lbs. (3 tubes)
Maximum capacity1,950 lbs. (2 tubes) 2,206 lbs. (3 tubes)
Maximum people11 (2 tubes) 14 (3 tubes)
Maximum people13

Premier Boats Cast-A-Way 221 2013 vs Premier Boats Explorer 241 2006 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Premier Boats Cast-A-Way 221 2013 or the Premier Boats Explorer 241 2006?
The Premier Boats Explorer 241 2006 is the longer of the two at 25,0 feet overall. The Premier Boats Cast-A-Way 221 2013 comes in at 22,4 feet, making it roughly 2,6 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.
Which is easier to trailer — the Premier Boats Cast-A-Way 221 2013 or the Premier Boats Explorer 241 2006?
For trailering, the Premier Boats Explorer 241 2006 has the edge at 21 lbs dry weight versus 205 lbs for the Premier Boats Cast-A-Way 221 2013. 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.
Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?
The Premier Boats Explorer 241 2006 is rated to a maximum of 135 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Premier Boats Cast-A-Way 221 2013 tops out at 115 hp. Keep in mind that maximum ratings are just that — matching the motor to the actual load and usage pattern usually matters more than chasing the ceiling.
How many people can each boat hold?
The Premier Boats Cast-A-Way 221 2013 is Coast Guard rated for 11 passengers, while the Premier Boats Explorer 241 2006 is certified for 13. 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 Cast-A-Way 221 2013 and Premier Boats Explorer 241 2006 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.
Are the Premier Boats Cast-A-Way 221 2013 and Premier Boats Explorer 241 2006 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Premier Boats Cast-A-Way 221 2013 and the Premier Boats Explorer 241 2006 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.