When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Premier Boats Explorer 171 2013 and the Premier Boats Leisure Navigator 220 2012 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?

Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Premier Boats Leisure Navigator 220 2012 measures 21,4 feet overall (2012), giving it roughly 4,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Premier Boats Explorer 171 2013 at 17,4 feet (2013). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Premier Boats Leisure Navigator 220 2012 tips the scales at 195 lbs — 179 lbs less than the Premier Boats Explorer 171 2013 at 16 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 90 hp, the Premier Boats Leisure Navigator 220 2012 has a 30-hp advantage over the Premier Boats Explorer 171 2013's 60-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 2013 carries 28 gallons versus 12 gallons in the Premier Boats Leisure Navigator 220 2012. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.

Both boats are rated for 8 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.