Both the Premier Boats Explorer 171 2007 and the Premier Boats Explorer 171 RE 2011 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 2007 at 17,0 ft versus Premier Boats Explorer 171 RE 2011 at 17,3 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Premier Boats Explorer 171 RE 2011 tips the scales at 1 500 lbs - 625 lbs less than the Premier Boats Explorer 171 2007 at 875 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 2007 and 50 hp for the Premier Boats Explorer 171 RE 2011. 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.

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 2007 comes in at 18 lbs per hp versus 30 lbs per hp for the Premier Boats Explorer 171 RE 2011. 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.