Both the Premier Boats Explorer 171 RE 2011 and the Premier Boats Leisure Navigator 200 2013 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 Explorer 171 RE 2011 at 17,3 ft versus Premier Boats Leisure Navigator 200 2013 at 19,4 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Premier Boats Leisure Navigator 200 2013 tips the scales at 1 700 lbs - 200 lbs less than the Premier Boats Explorer 171 RE 2011 at 1 500 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 75 hp, the Premier Boats Leisure Navigator 200 2013 has a 25-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 Explorer 171 RE 2011 carries 28 gallons versus 21 gallons in the Premier Boats Leisure Navigator 200 2013. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.

Both boats are rated for 7 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.

Both are 2-tube and 23-tube pontoon designs respectively. Tube diameter and gauge affect stability and load capacity - more so than most buyers realize when comparing on paper.