The Premier Boats Explorer 171 2006 vs Premier Boats SunSation 160 (Electric) 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 Explorer 171 2006 at 17,0 ft versus Premier Boats SunSation 160 (Electric) 2012 at 16,4 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Premier Boats Explorer 171 2006 tips the scales at 875 lbs — 730 lbs more than the Premier Boats SunSation 160 (Electric) 2012 at 145 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 — 60 hp for the Premier Boats Explorer 171 2006 and 50 hp for the Premier Boats SunSation 160 (Electric) 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 Explorer 171 2006 is rated for 7 passengers, while the Premier Boats SunSation 160 (Electric) 2012 caps at 6. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Premier Boats Explorer 171 2006 could be the deciding factor.
At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Premier Boats SunSation 160 (Electric) 2012 comes in at 3 lbs per hp versus 15 lbs per hp for the Premier Boats Explorer 171 2006. 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.
The Premier Boats Explorer 171 2006 is an inflatable design — lighter, easier to store, and quicker to launch from a beach or dock without a slipway. The Premier Boats SunSation 160 (Electric) 2012 is a rigid hull, which typically offers a more confident ride in chop and easier maintenance over the long term.
Bottom line: Choose the Premier Boats Explorer 171 2006 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 7 passengers and at 17,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Premier Boats SunSation 160 (Electric) 2012 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 6 that costs less to run day-to-day.