Both the Premier Boats Explorer 171 2013 and the Premier Boats SunSation 200 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 2013 at 17,4 ft versus Premier Boats SunSation 200 RE 2011 at 20,3 ft. At 1 600 lbs and 1 600 lbs respectively, both sit in a similar weight class - either should pair comfortably with most mid-size SUVs and half-ton trucks, though always confirm your specific tow rating with the motor added.

Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling - 60 hp for the Premier Boats Explorer 171 2013 and 75 hp for the Premier Boats SunSation 200 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. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Premier Boats Explorer 171 2013 carries 28 gallons versus 21 gallons in the Premier Boats SunSation 200 RE 2011. 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.