The Sun Tracker Fishin' Barge 22 XP3 2017 vs Sun Tracker Party Barge 22 XP3 2004 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.
The Sun Tracker Fishin' Barge 22 XP3 2017 carries a rated maximum of 150 hp. Engine data for the Sun Tracker Party Barge 22 XP3 2004 wasn't available in our records - check the manufacturer's spec sheet before sizing a motor.Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Sun Tracker Fishin' Barge 22 XP3 2017 carries 52 gallons versus 30 gallons in the Sun Tracker Party Barge 22 XP3 2004. 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 Sun Tracker Party Barge 22 XP3 2004 is rated for 14 passengers, while the Sun Tracker Fishin' Barge 22 XP3 2017 caps at 6. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Sun Tracker Party Barge 22 XP3 2004 could be the deciding factor.
The Sun Tracker Party Barge 22 XP3 2004 is an inflatable design - lighter, easier to store, and quicker to launch from a beach or dock without a slipway. The Sun Tracker Fishin' Barge 22 XP3 2017 is a rigid hull, which typically offers a more confident ride in chop and easier maintenance over the long term.
Bottom line: Choose the Sun Tracker Party Barge 22 XP3 2004 if your priority is putting more people on the water - it handles 14 passengers and at 22,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Sun Tracker Fishin' Barge 22 XP3 2017 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 6 that costs less to run day-to-day.