Premier Boats Explorer 221 RE 2011 boat specs
Premier Boats
Premier Boats Explorer 221 RE 2011
2011
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VS
Premier Boats SunSation 210 ES 2007 boat specs
Premier Boats
Premier Boats SunSation 210 ES 2007
2007
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Premier Boats Explorer 221 RE 2011 vs Premier Boats SunSation 210 ES 2007 — Which Pontoon Fits Your Needs?

When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Premier Boats Explorer 221 RE 2011 and the Premier Boats SunSation 210 ES 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 Explorer 221 RE 2011 measures 22,3 feet overall (2011), giving it roughly 20,3 additional feet of deck space compared to the Premier Boats SunSation 210 ES 2007 at 2,0 feet (2007). At 23 lbs and 21 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 210 ES 2007 has a 25-hp advantage over the Premier Boats Explorer 221 RE 2011'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 SunSation 210 ES 2007 is rated for 11 passengers, while the Premier Boats Explorer 221 RE 2011 caps at 10. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Premier Boats SunSation 210 ES 2007 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Premier Boats SunSation 210 ES 2007 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 11 passengers and at 2,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Premier Boats Explorer 221 RE 2011 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 10 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
MakePremier Boats
MakePremier Boats
ModelExplorer 221 RE
ModelSunSation 210 ES
Model Year2011
Model Year2007
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam8.5 ft
Beam8 ft. 6 in
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Inches102
Beam - Inches102
Weight - Detail1,850 lbs. (2 tubes) 2,300 lbs. (3 tubes / 30 in. PTX)
Weight - Detail1,700 lbs. (2 tubes) 2,100 lbs. (3 tubes)
Weight - kg1043.26
Weight - kg952.54
Weight - lbs.23
Weight - lbs.21
Length [deck]21 ft
Length [deck]20 ft. 0 in
Length - Feet22.33
Length - Feet2
Length overall - Detail22 ft. 4 in
Length overall - Detail20 ft. 6 in
Length overall - Meters6.81
Length overall - Meters6.25
Length overall - Inches268
Length overall - Inches246
Length - Inchesnot available
Length - Inches6
Body / Hull
Hull materialAluminum
Hull materialAluminum
Hull typePontoon
Hull typePontoon
Hull thicknessnot available
Hull thickness0.090 gauge (with 0.100 nosecones)
Pontoon and Inflatable Specific
Tube diameter23 in. 25 in. (upgrade)
Tube diameter25 in
Number of tubes2 or 3
Number of tubesnot available
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail28 gal
Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Liters105.99
Fuel tank capacity - Litersnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Gal28
Fuel tank capacity - Galnot available
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typeGas
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeOutboard
Engine max90 hp (2 - 23 in. tubes) 140 hp (2 - 25 in. tubes) 200 hp (3 tubes / 30 in. PTX)
Engine max115 hp (2 tubes) 175 hp (3 tubes)
Operational Info
Maximum capacity2,000 lbs. (2 - 23 in. tubes) 2,400 lbs. (2 - 25 in. tubes) 2,400 lbs. (3 - 25 in. tubes)
Maximum capacity1,950 lbs. (2 tubes) 2,095 lbs. (3 tubes)
Maximum people10 (2 - 23 in. tubes) 12 (2 - 25 in. tubes) 14 (3 tubes)
Maximum people11

Premier Boats Explorer 221 RE 2011 vs Premier Boats SunSation 210 ES 2007 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Premier Boats Explorer 221 RE 2011 or the Premier Boats SunSation 210 ES 2007?
The Premier Boats Explorer 221 RE 2011 is the longer of the two at 22,3 feet overall. The Premier Boats SunSation 210 ES 2007 comes in at 2,0 feet, making it roughly 20,3 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.
Which is easier to trailer — the Premier Boats Explorer 221 RE 2011 or the Premier Boats SunSation 210 ES 2007?
For trailering, the Premier Boats SunSation 210 ES 2007 has the edge at 21 lbs dry weight versus 23 lbs for the Premier Boats Explorer 221 RE 2011. Add a motor (typically 300–500 lbs for an outboard in this class), gear, and a partial fuel load and the difference grows. Lighter is friendlier on smaller tow vehicles and on fuel economy while hauling.
Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?
The Premier Boats SunSation 210 ES 2007 is rated to a maximum of 115 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Premier Boats Explorer 221 RE 2011 tops out at 90 hp. Keep in mind that maximum ratings are just that — matching the motor to the actual load and usage pattern usually matters more than chasing the ceiling.
How many people can each boat hold?
The Premier Boats Explorer 221 RE 2011 is Coast Guard rated for 10 passengers, while the Premier Boats SunSation 210 ES 2007 is certified for 11. Note that legal capacity and comfortable capacity aren't always the same thing — on a full day out, most experienced boaters aim for about 80% of the rated number to keep things comfortable.
Do these boats require an oversize trailer permit to tow on US highways?
Both the Premier Boats Explorer 221 RE 2011 and Premier Boats SunSation 210 ES 2007 share an 8.5 ft beam — meaning both sit right at the 8’6" threshold that most US states use for standard-width loads. In most states you can tow at that width without a special permit, but regulations vary. Always check the rules for your state and any states you'll be passing through before your first long haul.
Are the Premier Boats Explorer 221 RE 2011 and Premier Boats SunSation 210 ES 2007 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Premier Boats Explorer 221 RE 2011 and the Premier Boats SunSation 210 ES 2007 are built by Premier Boats. That means shared dealer networks, common parts availability, and consistent build quality across the line. The choice between them is essentially a question of how much boat you need, not which brand you trust.