When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Premier Boats Explorer 171 RE 2011 and the Premier Boats Grand Entertainer 290 2012 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 Grand Entertainer 290 2012 measures 29,4 feet overall (2012), giving it roughly 12,1 additional feet of deck space compared to the Premier Boats Explorer 171 RE 2011 at 17,3 feet (2011). At 15 lbs and 37 lbs respectively, both sit in a similar weight class — either should pair comfortably with most mid-size SUVs and half-ton trucks, though always confirm your specific tow rating with the motor added.

The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 300 hp, the Premier Boats Grand Entertainer 290 2012 has a 250-hp advantage over the Premier Boats Explorer 171 RE 2011's 50-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 Grand Entertainer 290 2012 carries 47 gallons versus 28 gallons in the Premier Boats Explorer 171 RE 2011. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.

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 Explorer 171 RE 2011 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 Grand Entertainer 290 2012 could be the deciding factor.

Both are 2-tube and 3-tube pontoon designs respectively. Tube diameter and gauge affect stability and load capacity — more so than most buyers realize when comparing on paper.