Premier Boats Gemini 201 2008 boat specs
Premier Boats
Premier Boats Gemini 201 2008
2008
View full specs →
VS
Premier Boats SunSation 160  2013 boat specs
Premier Boats
Premier Boats SunSation 160 2013
2013
View full specs →

Premier Boats Gemini 201 2008 vs Premier Boats SunSation 160 2013 — A Close Look at Two Pontoons

When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Premier Boats Gemini 201 2008 and the Premier Boats SunSation 160 2013 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?

On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Premier Boats Gemini 201 2008 at 19,0 ft versus Premier Boats SunSation 160 2013 at 16,4 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Premier Boats SunSation 160 2013 tips the scales at 145 lbs — 131 lbs less than the Premier Boats Gemini 201 2008 at 14 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 90 hp, the Premier Boats Gemini 201 2008 has a 40-hp advantage over the Premier Boats SunSation 160 2013'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 Gemini 201 2008 is rated for 12 passengers, while the Premier Boats SunSation 160 2013 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 Gemini 201 2008 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Premier Boats Gemini 201 2008 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 12 passengers and at 19,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Premier Boats SunSation 160 2013 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 7 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
MakePremier Boats
MakePremier Boats
ModelGemini 201
ModelSunSation 16
Model Year2008
Model Year2013
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam8 ft. 6 in
Beam8 ft. 6 in
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Inches102
Beam - Inches102
Weight - Detail1,100 lbs. (2 tubes) 1,400 lbs. (3 tubes)
Weight - Detail1,450 lbs
Weight - kg635.03
Weight - kg657.71
Weight - lbs.14
Weight - lbs.145
Length [deck]19 ft. 0 in
Length [deck]15 ft
Length - Feet19
Length - Feet16.42
Length - Inches4
Length - Inchesnot available
Length overall - Detail19 ft. 4 in
Length overall - Detail16 ft. 5 in
Length overall - Meters5.89
Length overall - Meters5
Length overall - Inches232
Length overall - Inches197
Body / Hull
Hull materialAluminum
Hull materialAluminum
Hull thickness0.090 gauge (with 0.100 nosecones)
Hull thicknessnot available
Hull typePontoon
Hull typePontoon
Pontoon and Inflatable Specific
Tube diameter25 in
Tube diameter25 in
Number of tubesnot available
Number of tubes2
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typeElectric
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeOutboard
Engine max90 hp (2 tubes) 125 hp (3 tubes)
Engine max50 hp
Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Detail21 gal
Fuel tank capacity - Litersnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Liters79.49
Fuel tank capacity - Galnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Gal21
Operational Info
Maximum capacity2,250 lbs. (2 tubes) 2,550 lbs. (3 tubes)
Maximum capacity1,500 lbs
Maximum people12 (2 tubes) 13 (3 tubes)
Maximum people7

Premier Boats Gemini 201 2008 vs Premier Boats SunSation 160 2013 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Premier Boats Gemini 201 2008 or the Premier Boats SunSation 160 2013?
The Premier Boats Gemini 201 2008 is the longer of the two at 19,0 feet overall. The Premier Boats SunSation 160 2013 comes in at 16,4 feet, making it roughly 2,6 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.
Which is easier to trailer — the Premier Boats Gemini 201 2008 or the Premier Boats SunSation 160 2013?
For trailering, the Premier Boats Gemini 201 2008 has the edge at 14 lbs dry weight versus 145 lbs for the Premier Boats SunSation 160 2013. 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 Gemini 201 2008 is rated to a maximum of 90 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Premier Boats SunSation 160 2013 tops out at 50 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 Gemini 201 2008 is Coast Guard rated for 12 passengers, while the Premier Boats SunSation 160 2013 is certified for 7. 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 Gemini 201 2008 and Premier Boats SunSation 160 2013 share an 8 ft. 6 in 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 Gemini 201 2008 and Premier Boats SunSation 160 2013 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Premier Boats Gemini 201 2008 and the Premier Boats SunSation 160 2013 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.