Premier Boats Grand Isle 250 RF 2011 boat specs
Premier Boats
Premier Boats Grand Isle 250 RF 2011
2011
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VS
Premier Boats S-Series 235 ES 2009 boat specs
Premier Boats
Premier Boats S-Series 235 ES 2009
2009
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Premier Boats Grand Isle 250 RF 2011 vs Premier Boats S-Series 235 ES 2009 — A Close Look at Two Pontoons

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.
General Boat Info
MakePremier Boats
MakePremier Boats
ModelGrand Isle 250 RF
ModelS-Series 235 ES
Model Year2011
Model Year2009
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam8.5 ft
Beam8 ft. 6 in
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Inches102
Beam - Inches102
Weight - Detail3,050 lbs. (3 tubes / 30 in. PTX) 3,200 lbs. (36 in. PTX)
Weight - Detail2,750 lbs. (30 in. PTX) 2,900 lbs. (36 in. PTX)
Weight - kg1451.49
Weight - kg1315.42
Weight - lbs.32
Weight - lbs.29
Length [deck]26 ft
Length [deck]23 ft. 0 in
Length - Feet26.33
Length - Feet24
Length overall - Detail26 ft. 4 in
Length overall - Detail24 ft. 4 in
Length overall - Meters8.03
Length overall - Meters7.42
Length overall - Inches316
Length overall - Inches292
Length - Inchesnot available
Length - Inches4
Body / Hull
Hull materialAluminum
Hull materialAluminum
Hull typePontoon
Hull typePontoon
Hull thicknessnot available
Hull thickness.090 gauge (with .100 nosecones)
Pontoon and Inflatable Specific
Tube diameter25 in
Tube diameter25 in
Number of tubes3
Number of tubes3
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail29 gal
Fuel tank capacity - Detail29 gal
Fuel tank capacity - Liters109.78
Fuel tank capacity - Liters109.78
Fuel tank capacity - Gal29
Fuel tank capacity - Gal29
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typeGas
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeOutboard
Engine max250 hp (3 tubes / 30 in. PTX) 300 hp (36 in. PTX) 300 hp (36 in. PTX twin)
Engine max225 hp (30 in. PTX) 250 hp (36 in. PTX)
Operational Info
Maximum capacity2,950 lbs. (3 tubes / 30 in. PTX) 3,450 lbs. (36 in. PTX) 3,600 lbs. (PTX twin)
Maximum capacity2,850 lbs. (30 in. PTX) 3,250 lbs. (36 in. PTX)
Maximum people15 (3 tubes) 17 (36 in. PTX / PTX twin)
Maximum people15 (30 in. PTX) 17 (36 in. PTX)

Premier Boats Grand Isle 250 RF 2011 vs Premier Boats S-Series 235 ES 2009 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Premier Boats Grand Isle 250 RF 2011 or the Premier Boats S-Series 235 ES 2009?
The Premier Boats Grand Isle 250 RF 2011 is the longer of the two at 26,3 feet overall. The Premier Boats S-Series 235 ES 2009 comes in at 24,0 feet, making it roughly 2,3 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.
Which is easier to trailer — the Premier Boats Grand Isle 250 RF 2011 or the Premier Boats S-Series 235 ES 2009?
For trailering, the Premier Boats S-Series 235 ES 2009 has the edge at 29 lbs dry weight versus 32 lbs for the Premier Boats Grand Isle 250 RF 2011. 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 Grand Isle 250 RF 2011 is rated to a maximum of 250 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Premier Boats S-Series 235 ES 2009 tops out at 225 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 Grand Isle 250 RF 2011 is Coast Guard rated for 15 passengers, while the Premier Boats S-Series 235 ES 2009 is certified for 15. 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 Grand Isle 250 RF 2011 and Premier Boats S-Series 235 ES 2009 share an 8.5 ft 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.
How do the fuel tanks compare on the Premier Boats Grand Isle 250 RF 2011 and Premier Boats S-Series 235 ES 2009?
Both boats carry similar fuel loads — 29 gallons and 29 gallons respectively. Range will depend heavily on motor choice, throttle usage, and whether you're on flat lake water or coastal chop.
Are the Premier Boats Grand Isle 250 RF 2011 and Premier Boats S-Series 235 ES 2009 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Premier Boats Grand Isle 250 RF 2011 and the Premier Boats S-Series 235 ES 2009 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.