When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Premier Boats Explorer 171 RE 2011 and the Premier Boats SunSation LTD 160 RE 2009 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?
On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Premier Boats Explorer 171 RE 2011 at 17,3 ft versus Premier Boats SunSation LTD 160 RE 2009 at 15,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Premier Boats SunSation LTD 160 RE 2009 tips the scales at 145 lbs — 130 lbs less than the Premier Boats Explorer 171 RE 2011 at 15 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 — 50 hp for the Premier Boats Explorer 171 RE 2011 and 50 hp for the Premier Boats SunSation LTD 160 RE 2009. 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. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Premier Boats Explorer 171 RE 2011 carries 28 gallons versus 3 gallons in the Premier Boats SunSation LTD 160 RE 2009. 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.
At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Premier Boats Explorer 171 RE 2011 comes in at 0 lbs per hp versus 3 lbs per hp for the Premier Boats SunSation LTD 160 RE 2009. The lower the ratio the more explosive the acceleration — meaningful on a short RIB where bursts of speed, quick planing, and agility in surf or tight waterways define the experience.
Both are 2-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: The Premier Boats Explorer 171 RE 2011 at 17,3 ft is the right call if deck space, comfort, and entertaining are top of your list. The Premier Boats SunSation LTD 160 RE 2009 at 15,0 ft wins on trailering ease, likely lower purchase price, and simpler docking — a solid choice for a buyer who wants more boat for less money.