The Premier Boats Explorer 201 2006 vs Premier Boats SunSation LTD 160 RE 2011 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 201 2006 at 19,0 ft versus Premier Boats SunSation LTD 160 RE 2011 at 16,3 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Premier Boats SunSation LTD 160 RE 2011 tips the scales at 145 lbs — 134 lbs less than the Premier Boats Explorer 201 2006 at 11 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 Explorer 201 2006 has a 25-hp advantage over the Premier Boats SunSation LTD 160 RE 2011'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 Explorer 201 2006 is rated for 9 passengers, while the Premier Boats SunSation LTD 160 RE 2011 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 Explorer 201 2006 could be the deciding factor.
At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Premier Boats Explorer 201 2006 comes in at 0 lbs per hp versus 3 lbs per hp for the Premier Boats SunSation LTD 160 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.
The Premier Boats Explorer 201 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 LTD 160 RE 2011 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 201 2006 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 9 passengers and at 19,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Premier Boats SunSation LTD 160 RE 2011 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 7 that costs less to run day-to-day.