Both the Premier Boats SunSation 160 2008 and the Premier Boats SunSation 220 RE 2011 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?

Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Premier Boats SunSation 220 RE 2011 measures 22,3 feet overall (2011), giving it roughly 7,3 additional feet of deck space compared to the Premier Boats SunSation 160 2008 at 15,0 feet (2008). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Premier Boats SunSation 220 RE 2011 tips the scales at 2 300 lbs - 1 425 lbs less than the Premier Boats SunSation 160 2008 at 875 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 90 hp, the Premier Boats SunSation 220 RE 2011 has a 40-hp advantage over the Premier Boats SunSation 160 2008's 50-hp ceiling - enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Premier Boats SunSation 220 RE 2011 is rated for 10 passengers, while the Premier Boats SunSation 160 2008 caps at 8. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Premier Boats SunSation 220 RE 2011 could be the deciding factor.

Both are 2-tube and 23-tube pontoon designs respectively. Tube diameter and gauge affect stability and load capacity - more so than most buyers realize when comparing on paper.