When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Premier Boats Explorer 201 2010 and the Premier Boats SunSation 160 RE 2007 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 160 RE 2007 measures 15,0 feet overall (2007), giving it roughly 13,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Premier Boats Explorer 201 2010 at 2,0 feet (2010). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Premier Boats SunSation 160 RE 2007 tips the scales at 875 lbs — 854 lbs less than the Premier Boats Explorer 201 2010 at 21 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 2010 has a 25-hp advantage over the Premier Boats SunSation 160 RE 2007'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 2010 is rated for 8 passengers, while the Premier Boats SunSation 160 RE 2007 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 2010 could be the deciding factor.
At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Premier Boats Explorer 201 2010 comes in at 0 lbs per hp versus 18 lbs per hp for the Premier Boats SunSation 160 RE 2007. 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.
Both are 23-tube and 2-tube pontoon designs respectively. Tube diameter and gauge affect stability and load capacity — more so than most buyers realize when comparing on paper.
Bottom line: Choose the Premier Boats Explorer 201 2010 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 8 passengers and at 2,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Premier Boats SunSation 160 RE 2007 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 7 that costs less to run day-to-day.