Premier Boats Escapade 235 2006 boat specs
Premier Boats
Premier Boats Escapade 235 2006
2006
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VS
Premier Boats SunSation 240 RE / RL 2012 boat specs
Premier Boats
Premier Boats SunSation 240 RE / RL 2012
2012
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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

Premier Boats Escapade 235 2006 vs Premier Boats SunSation 240 RE / RL 2012 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Premier Boats Escapade 235 2006 or the Premier Boats SunSation 240 RE / RL 2012?
The Premier Boats SunSation 240 RE / RL 2012 is the longer of the two at 24,4 feet overall. The Premier Boats Escapade 235 2006 comes in at 23,0 feet, making it roughly 1,4 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.
Which is easier to trailer — the Premier Boats Escapade 235 2006 or the Premier Boats SunSation 240 RE / RL 2012?
For trailering, the Premier Boats SunSation 240 RE / RL 2012 has the edge at 22 lbs dry weight versus 235 lbs for the Premier Boats Escapade 235 2006. Add a motor (typically 300–500 lbs for an outboard in this class), gear, and a partial fuel load and the difference grows. Lighter is friendlier on smaller tow vehicles and on fuel economy while hauling.
Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?
The Premier Boats Escapade 235 2006 is rated to a maximum of 135 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Premier Boats SunSation 240 RE / RL 2012 tops out at 115 hp. Keep in mind that maximum ratings are just that — matching the motor to the actual load and usage pattern usually matters more than chasing the ceiling.
How many people can each boat hold?
The Premier Boats Escapade 235 2006 is Coast Guard rated for 13 passengers, while the Premier Boats SunSation 240 RE / RL 2012 is certified for 11. Note that legal capacity and comfortable capacity aren't always the same thing — on a full day out, most experienced boaters aim for about 80% of the rated number to keep things comfortable.
Do these boats require an oversize trailer permit to tow on US highways?
Both the Premier Boats Escapade 235 2006 and Premier Boats SunSation 240 RE / RL 2012 share an 8 ft. 6 in beam — meaning both sit right at the 8’6" threshold that most US states use for standard-width loads. In most states you can tow at that width without a special permit, but regulations vary. Always check the rules for your state and any states you'll be passing through before your first long haul.
Are the Premier Boats Escapade 235 2006 and Premier Boats SunSation 240 RE / RL 2012 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Premier Boats Escapade 235 2006 and the Premier Boats SunSation 240 RE / RL 2012 are built by Premier Boats. That means shared dealer networks, common parts availability, and consistent build quality across the line. The choice between them is essentially a question of how much boat you need, not which brand you trust.