Both the Premier Boats Explorer 201 2007 and the Premier Boats SunSation LTD 225 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 201 2007 at 20,0 ft versus Premier Boats SunSation LTD 225 2008 at 22,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Premier Boats SunSation LTD 225 2008 tips the scales at 2 200 lbs - 700 lbs less than the Premier Boats Explorer 201 2007 at 1 500 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 140 hp, the Premier Boats SunSation LTD 225 2008 has a 65-hp advantage over the Premier Boats Explorer 201 2007's 75-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 LTD 225 2008 is rated for 12 passengers, while the Premier Boats Explorer 201 2007 caps at 8. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Premier Boats SunSation LTD 225 2008 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Premier Boats SunSation LTD 225 2008 if your priority is putting more people on the water - it handles 12 passengers and at 22,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Premier Boats Explorer 201 2007 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 8 that costs less to run day-to-day.