When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Premier Boats Grand Isle 250 RF 2011 and the Premier Boats S-Series 235 ES 2009 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 Grand Isle 250 RF 2011 at 26,3 ft versus Premier Boats S-Series 235 ES 2009 at 24,0 ft. At 32 lbs and 29 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 250 hp, the Premier Boats Grand Isle 250 RF 2011 has a 25-hp advantage over the Premier Boats S-Series 235 ES 2009's 225-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Both carry nearly identical fuel loads — 29 gal and 29 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.
Both boats are rated for 15 passengers — a good fit for a family of four or five plus guests. Comfort at capacity is another matter; the longer hull typically means more seat options and better weight distribution.
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: The Premier Boats Grand Isle 250 RF 2011 at 26,3 ft is the right call if deck space, comfort, and entertaining are top of your list. The Premier Boats S-Series 235 ES 2009 at 24,0 ft wins on trailering ease, likely lower purchase price, and simpler docking — a solid choice for a buyer who wants more boat for less money.