Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Premier Boats Escapade 235 2006 vs Premier Boats SunSation 240 RE / RL 2012 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The Premier Boats Escapade 235 2006 vs Premier Boats SunSation 240 RE / RL 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.
On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Premier Boats Escapade 235 2006 at 23,0 ft versus Premier Boats SunSation 240 RE / RL 2012 at 24,4 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Premier Boats Escapade 235 2006 tips the scales at 235 lbs — 213 lbs more than the Premier Boats SunSation 240 RE / RL 2012 at 22 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 — 135 hp for the Premier Boats Escapade 235 2006 and 115 hp for the Premier Boats SunSation 240 RE / RL 2012. 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 Escapade 235 2006 is rated for 13 passengers, while the Premier Boats SunSation 240 RE / RL 2012 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 Escapade 235 2006 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Premier Boats Escapade 235 2006 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 13 passengers and at 23,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Premier Boats SunSation 240 RE / RL 2012 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
ModelEscapade 235
ModelSunSation 240 RE / RL
Model Year2006
Model Year2012
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam8 ft. 6 in
Beam8 ft. 6 in
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Inches102
Beam - Inches102
Weight - Detail1,980 lbs. (2 tubes) 2,350 lbs. (3 tubes)
Weight - Detail2,150 lbs. (2 - 23 in.) 2,200 lbs. (2 - 25 in.) 2,100 lbs. (3 - 30 in. PTX)
Weight - kg1065.94
Weight - kg997.9
Weight - lbs.235
Weight - lbs.22
Length [deck]22 ft. 8 in
Length [deck]23 ft
Length - Feet23
Length - Feet24.42
Length - Inches5
Length - Inchesnot available
Length overall - Detail23 ft. 5 in
Length overall - Detail24 ft. 5 in
Length overall - Meters7.14
Length overall - Meters7.44
Length overall - Inches281
Length overall - Inches293
Pontoon and Inflatable Specific
Tube diameter25 in
Tube diameter23 in. 25 in. (upgrade)
Number of tubesnot available
Number of tubes2 or 3
Engine and Drivetrain
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeOutboard
Engine max135 hp (2 tubes) 200 hp (3 tubes) 225 hp (PTX)
Engine max115 hp (2 - 23 in. tubes) 140 hp (2 - 25 in. tubes) 200 hp (3 - 30 in. PTX)
Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Detail20 gal
Fuel tank capacity - Litersnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Liters75.71
Fuel tank capacity - Galnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Gal2
Fuel typenot available
Fuel typeGas
Operational Info
Maximum capacity2,413 lbs. (2 tubes) 2,488 lbs. (3 tubes)
Maximum capacity2,100 lbs. (2 - 23 in. tubes) 2,500 lbs. (2 - 25 in. tubes) 2,815 lbs. (3 - 30 in. PTX)
Maximum people13
Maximum people11 (2 - 23 in. tubes) 11 (2 - 25 in. tubes) 15 (3 - 30 in. PTX)
Body / Hull
Hull materialnot available
Hull materialAluminum
Hull typenot available
Hull typePontoon