Both the Premier Boats Solaris 160 2013 and the Premier Boats SunSation 180 RE 2009 are pontoon designs, both built in aluminium, so 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 Solaris 160 2013 at 16,4 ft versus Premier Boats SunSation 180 RE 2009 at 17,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Premier Boats SunSation 180 RE 2009 tips the scales at 1 650 lbs - 200 lbs less than the Premier Boats Solaris 160 2013 at 1 450 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 75 hp, the Premier Boats SunSation 180 RE 2009 has a 25-hp advantage over the Premier Boats Solaris 160 2013's 50-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 SunSation 180 RE 2009 carries 30 gallons versus 25 gallons in the Premier Boats Solaris 160 2013. 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 SunSation 180 RE 2009 is rated for 9 passengers, while the Premier Boats Solaris 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 SunSation 180 RE 2009 could be the deciding factor.
At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Premier Boats SunSation 180 RE 2009 comes in at 22 lbs per hp versus 29 lbs per hp for the Premier Boats Solaris 160 2013. The lower the ratio the more explosive the acceleration - meaningful on a short RIB where bursts of speed, quick planing, and agility in surf or tight waterways define the experience.
One place where both boats are genuinely identical is tube construction: both run 2 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 SunSation 180 RE 2009 if your priority is putting more people on the water - it handles 9 passengers and at 17,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Premier Boats Solaris 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.