Both the Premier Boats Explorer 171 2007 and the Premier Boats SunSation 180 2008 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 SunSation 180 2008 at 17,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Premier Boats SunSation 180 2008 tips the scales at 1 300 lbs - 425 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.

The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 75 hp, the Premier Boats SunSation 180 2008 has a 25-hp advantage over the Premier Boats Explorer 171 2007's 50-hp ceiling - enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Premier Boats SunSation 180 2008 is rated for 10 passengers, while the Premier Boats Explorer 171 2007 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 SunSation 180 2008 could be the deciding factor.

At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Premier Boats SunSation 180 2008 comes in at 17 lbs per hp versus 18 lbs per hp for the Premier Boats Explorer 171 2007. 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.