When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Premier Boats Elite 235 2013 and the Premier Boats SunSation 160 RE 2007 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 Elite 235 2013 measures 23,4 feet overall (2013), giving it roughly 8,4 additional feet of deck space compared to the Premier Boats SunSation 160 RE 2007 at 15,0 feet (2007). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Premier Boats SunSation 160 RE 2007 tips the scales at 875 lbs — 837 lbs less than the Premier Boats Elite 235 2013 at 38 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 Premier Boats SunSation 160 RE 2007 tops out at 50 hp. Engine specs for the Premier Boats Elite 235 2013 aren't listed — confirm with a dealer before selecting an outboard.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Premier Boats Elite 235 2013 is rated for 14 passengers, while the Premier Boats SunSation 160 RE 2007 caps at 7. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Premier Boats Elite 235 2013 could be the deciding factor.
Both are 3-tube and 2-tube pontoon designs respectively. Tube diameter and gauge affect stability and load capacity — more so than most buyers realize when comparing on paper.
Bottom line: Choose the Premier Boats Elite 235 2013 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 14 passengers and at 23,4 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Premier Boats SunSation 160 RE 2007 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 7 that costs less to run day-to-day.