The Premier Boats Castaway 231 2006 vs Premier Boats Explorer 171 2009 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 Castaway 231 2006 measures 24,0 feet overall (2006), giving it roughly 7,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Premier Boats Explorer 171 2009 at 17,0 feet (2009). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Premier Boats Castaway 231 2006 tips the scales at 235 lbs — 220 lbs more than the Premier Boats Explorer 171 2009 at 15 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 120 hp, the Premier Boats Castaway 231 2006 has a 60-hp advantage over the Premier Boats Explorer 171 2009's 60-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 Castaway 231 2006 is rated for 12 passengers, while the Premier Boats Explorer 171 2009 caps at 9. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Premier Boats Castaway 231 2006 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Premier Boats Castaway 231 2006 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 12 passengers and at 24,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Premier Boats Explorer 171 2009 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 9 that costs less to run day-to-day.