When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Premier Boats Explorer 201 2008 and the Premier Boats SunSation 240 RE / RL 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 SunSation 240 RE / RL 2012 measures 24,4 feet overall (2012), giving it roughly 5,4 additional feet of deck space compared to the Premier Boats Explorer 201 2008 at 19,0 feet (2008). At 14 lbs and 22 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.

The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 115 hp, the Premier Boats SunSation 240 RE / RL 2012 has a 25-hp advantage over the Premier Boats Explorer 201 2008's 90-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 2008 is rated for 12 passengers, while the Premier Boats SunSation 240 RE / RL 2012 caps at 11. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Premier Boats Explorer 201 2008 could be the deciding factor.