Premier Boats Sport Dek CL 180 2005 boat specs
Premier Boats
Premier Boats Sport Dek CL 180 2005
2005
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VS
Premier Boats SunSation 180 RE 2011 boat specs
Premier Boats
Premier Boats SunSation 180 RE 2011
2011
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Premier Boats Sport Dek CL 180 2005 vs Premier Boats SunSation 180 RE 2011 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Premier Boats Sport Dek CL 180 2005 vs Premier Boats SunSation 180 RE 2011 comparison sits squarely in the category of decisions where specs alone won't tell the whole story — intended use, storage, and long-term ownership costs all factor in.

On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Premier Boats Sport Dek CL 180 2005 at 17,0 ft versus Premier Boats SunSation 180 RE 2011 at 18,3 ft. At 21 lbs and 15 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 Premier Boats SunSation 180 RE 2011 tops out at 60 hp. Engine specs for the Premier Boats Sport Dek CL 180 2005 aren't listed — confirm with a dealer before selecting an outboard.Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Premier Boats SunSation 180 RE 2011 carries 21 gallons versus 3 gallons in the Premier Boats Sport Dek CL 180 2005. 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 Sport Dek CL 180 2005 is rated for 9 passengers, while the Premier Boats SunSation 180 RE 2011 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 Sport Dek CL 180 2005 could be the deciding factor.

The Premier Boats Sport Dek CL 180 2005 is an inflatable design — lighter, easier to store, and quicker to launch from a beach or dock without a slipway. The Premier Boats SunSation 180 RE 2011 is a rigid hull, which typically offers a more confident ride in chop and easier maintenance over the long term.

Bottom line: Choose the Premier Boats Sport Dek CL 180 2005 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 SunSation 180 RE 2011 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
ModelSport Dek CL 18
ModelSunSation 180 RE
Model Year2005
Model Year2011
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam8 ft. 6 in
Beam8.5 ft
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Inches102
Beam - Inches102
Weight - Detail2,100 lbs
Weight - Detail1,500 lbs
Weight - kg952.54
Weight - kg680.39
Weight - lbs.21
Weight - lbs.15
Length - Feet17
Length - Feet18.33
Length - Inches5
Length - Inchesnot available
Length overall - Detail17 ft. 5 in
Length overall - Detail18 ft. 4 in
Length overall - Meters5.31
Length overall - Meters5.59
Length overall - Inches209
Length overall - Inches22
Length [deck]not available
Length [deck]17 ft
Pontoon and Inflatable Specific
Number of tubes2
Number of tubes2
Tube diameternot available
Tube diameter23 in. 25 in. (upgrade)
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine/s standard115 hp
Engine/s standardnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Detail30 gal
Fuel tank capacity - Detail21 gal
Fuel tank capacity - Liters113.56
Fuel tank capacity - Liters79.49
Fuel tank capacity - Gal3
Fuel tank capacity - Gal21
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeOutboard
Fuel typenot available
Fuel typeGas
Engine maxnot available
Engine max60 hp (23 in. tubes) 75 hp (25 in. tubes)
Operational Info
Maximum capacity1,269 lbs
Maximum capacity1,500 lbs. (23 in. tubes) 1,770 lbs. (25 in. tubes)
Maximum people9
Maximum people7 (23 in. tubes) 9 (25 in. tubes)
Body / Hull
Hull materialnot available
Hull materialAluminum
Hull typenot available
Hull typePontoon

Premier Boats Sport Dek CL 180 2005 vs Premier Boats SunSation 180 RE 2011 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Premier Boats Sport Dek CL 180 2005 or the Premier Boats SunSation 180 RE 2011?
The Premier Boats SunSation 180 RE 2011 is the longer of the two at 18,3 feet overall. The Premier Boats Sport Dek CL 180 2005 comes in at 17,0 feet, making it roughly 1,3 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.
Which is easier to trailer — the Premier Boats Sport Dek CL 180 2005 or the Premier Boats SunSation 180 RE 2011?
For trailering, the Premier Boats SunSation 180 RE 2011 has the edge at 15 lbs dry weight versus 21 lbs for the Premier Boats Sport Dek CL 180 2005. 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.
What is the maximum horsepower rating for these boats?
The Premier Boats SunSation 180 RE 2011 has a documented max rating of 60 hp. Engine specifications for the Premier Boats Sport Dek CL 180 2005 were not available in our database — check the OEM spec sheet or manufacturer's website for confirmation.
How many people can each boat hold?
The Premier Boats Sport Dek CL 180 2005 is Coast Guard rated for 9 passengers, while the Premier Boats SunSation 180 RE 2011 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 Sport Dek CL 180 2005 and Premier Boats SunSation 180 RE 2011 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.
Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Premier Boats Sport Dek CL 180 2005 or the Premier Boats SunSation 180 RE 2011?
The Premier Boats SunSation 180 RE 2011 has the bigger tank at 21 gallons, versus 3 gallons on the Premier Boats Sport Dek CL 180 2005. That 18-gallon difference translates to roughly 54–90 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.
Are the Premier Boats Sport Dek CL 180 2005 and Premier Boats SunSation 180 RE 2011 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Premier Boats Sport Dek CL 180 2005 and the Premier Boats SunSation 180 RE 2011 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.