Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Premier Boats Explorer 221 2012 vs Premier Boats Sport Dek FS 235 2005 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The Premier Boats Explorer 221 2012 vs Premier Boats Sport Dek FS 235 2005 comparison sits squarely in the category of decisions where specs alone won't tell the whole story — intended use, storage, and long-term ownership costs all factor in.
On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Premier Boats Explorer 221 2012 at 22,4 ft versus Premier Boats Sport Dek FS 235 2005 at 22,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Premier Boats Sport Dek FS 235 2005 tips the scales at 1 692 lbs — 1 487 lbs less than the Premier Boats Explorer 221 2012 at 205 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 Premier Boats Explorer 221 2012 carries a rated maximum of 90 hp. Engine data for the Premier Boats Sport Dek FS 235 2005 wasn't available in our records — check the manufacturer's spec sheet before sizing a motor.Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Premier Boats Explorer 221 2012 carries 27 gallons versus 3 gallons in the Premier Boats Sport Dek FS 235 2005. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Premier Boats Sport Dek FS 235 2005 is rated for 12 passengers, while the Premier Boats Explorer 221 2012 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 Sport Dek FS 235 2005 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Premier Boats Sport Dek FS 235 2005 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 221 2012 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
ModelSport Dek FS 235
Model Year2012
Model Year2005
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam8 ft. 6 in
Beam8 ft. 6 in
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Inches102
Beam - Inches102
Weight - Detail1,850 lbs. (2 - 23 in. tubes) 1,950 lbs. (2 - 25 in. tubes) 2,050 lbs. (3 tubes - 30 in. PTX)
Weight - Detail1,692 lbs
Weight - kg929.86
Weight - kg767.48
Weight - lbs.205
Weight - lbs.1692
Length [deck]21 ft
Length [deck]not available
Length - Feet22.42
Length - Feet22
Length overall - Detail22 ft. 5 in
Length overall - Detail22 ft. 9 in
Length overall - Meters6.83
Length overall - Meters6.93
Length overall - Inches269
Length overall - Inches273
Length - Inchesnot available
Length - Inches9
Body / Hull
Hull materialAluminum
Hull materialnot available
Hull typePontoon
Hull typenot available
Pontoon and Inflatable Specific
Tube diameter23 in. 25 in. (upgrade)
Tube diameternot available
Number of tubes2 or 3
Number of tubesnot available
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail27 gal
Fuel tank capacity - Detail30 gal
Fuel tank capacity - Liters102.21
Fuel tank capacity - Liters113.56
Fuel tank capacity - Gal27
Fuel tank capacity - Gal3
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typenot available
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeOutboard
Engine max90 hp (2 - 23 in. tubes) 115 hp (2 - 25 in. tubes) 150 hp (3 tubes - 30 in. PTX)
Engine maxnot available
Engine/s standardnot available
Engine/s standard175 hp
Operational Info
Maximum capacity1,950 lbs. (2 - 23 in. tubes) 2,245 lbs. (2 - 25 in. tubes) 2,665 lbs. (3 tubes - 30 in. PTX)
Maximum capacity1,551 lbs
Maximum people10 (2 - 23 in. tubes) 11 (2 - 25 in. tubes) 14 (3 tubes - 30 in. PTX)
Maximum people12