Both the Premier Boats Elite 235 RE 2011 and the Premier Boats S-Series 235 RE 2009 are pontoon designs, both built in aluminium, so 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?

On paper these two are close siblings in the size department - Premier Boats Elite 235 RE 2011 at 25,3 ft versus Premier Boats S-Series 235 RE 2009 at 24,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Premier Boats Elite 235 RE 2011 tips the scales at 4 150 lbs - 1 250 lbs more than the Premier Boats S-Series 235 RE 2009 at 2 900 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 270 hp, the Premier Boats Elite 235 RE 2011 has a 45-hp advantage over the Premier Boats S-Series 235 RE 2009's 225-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 29 gallons in the Premier Boats S-Series 235 RE 2009. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.

Both boats are rated for 15 passengers - a good fit for a family of four or five plus guests. Comfort at capacity is another matter; the longer hull typically means more seat options and better weight distribution.