When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Premier Boats Explorer 221 2008 and the Premier Boats SunSation LTD 160 RE 2011 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 2008 measures 21,0 feet overall (2008), giving it roughly 4,7 additional feet of deck space compared to the Premier Boats SunSation LTD 160 RE 2011 at 16,3 feet (2011). At 165 lbs and 145 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 125 hp, the Premier Boats Explorer 221 2008 has a 75-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 221 2008 is rated for 12 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 221 2008 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Premier Boats Explorer 221 2008 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 12 passengers and at 21,0 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.