When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Premier Boats Grand Entertainer 290 2012 and the Premier Boats S-Series 250 2010 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 Grand Entertainer 290 2012 measures 29,4 feet overall (2012), giving it roughly 4,4 additional feet of deck space compared to the Premier Boats S-Series 250 2010 at 25,0 feet (2010). At 37 lbs and 32 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 300 hp, the Premier Boats Grand Entertainer 290 2012 has a 50-hp advantage over the Premier Boats S-Series 250 2010's 250-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Premier Boats Grand Entertainer 290 2012 carries 47 gallons versus 29 gallons in the Premier Boats S-Series 250 2010. 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 Grand Entertainer 290 2012 is rated for 18 passengers, while the Premier Boats S-Series 250 2010 caps at 15. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Premier Boats Grand Entertainer 290 2012 could be the deciding factor.
One place where both boats are genuinely identical is tube construction: both run 3 aluminum tubes at 25" diameter. That shared spec means stability and buoyancy characteristics are closely matched — the ride difference you'll feel between them comes primarily from deck length, weight distribution, and motor choice.
Bottom line: Choose the Premier Boats Grand Entertainer 290 2012 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 18 passengers and at 29,4 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Premier Boats S-Series 250 2010 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 15 that costs less to run day-to-day.