The Premier Boats Castaway 251 2006 vs Premier Boats Grand Entertainer 290 2012 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 Grand Entertainer 290 2012 measures 29,4 feet overall (2012), giving it roughly 3,4 additional feet of deck space compared to the Premier Boats Castaway 251 2006 at 26,0 feet (2006). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Premier Boats Castaway 251 2006 tips the scales at 245 lbs — 208 lbs more than the Premier Boats Grand Entertainer 290 2012 at 37 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 300 hp, the Premier Boats Grand Entertainer 290 2012 has a 160-hp advantage over the Premier Boats Castaway 251 2006's 140-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 Grand Entertainer 290 2012 is rated for 18 passengers, while the Premier Boats Castaway 251 2006 caps at 14. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Premier Boats Grand Entertainer 290 2012 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Premier Boats Grand Entertainer 290 2012 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 18 passengers and at 29,4 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Premier Boats Castaway 251 2006 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 14 that costs less to run day-to-day.