The Sun Tracker PARTY BARGE 17 Signature Series 2005 vs Sun Tracker Party Barge 24 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.
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Sun Tracker Party Barge 24 2011 measures 26,1 feet overall (2011), giving it roughly 9,1 additional feet of deck space compared to the Sun Tracker PARTY BARGE 17 Signature Series 2005 at 17,0 feet (2005). At 116 lbs and 191 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 115 hp, the Sun Tracker Party Barge 24 2011 has a 90-hp advantage over the Sun Tracker PARTY BARGE 17 Signature Series 2005's 25-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Sun Tracker Party Barge 24 2011 carries 42 gallons versus 7 gallons in the Sun Tracker PARTY BARGE 17 Signature Series 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 Sun Tracker Party Barge 24 2011 is rated for 12 passengers, while the Sun Tracker PARTY BARGE 17 Signature Series 2005 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 24 2011 could be the deciding factor.
At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Sun Tracker Party Barge 24 2011 comes in at 2 lbs per hp versus 5 lbs per hp for the Sun Tracker PARTY BARGE 17 Signature Series 2005. 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.
The Sun Tracker PARTY BARGE 17 Signature Series 2005 is an inflatable design — lighter, easier to store, and quicker to launch from a beach or dock without a slipway. The Sun Tracker Party Barge 24 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 Sun Tracker Party Barge 24 2011 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 12 passengers and at 26,1 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Sun Tracker PARTY BARGE 17 Signature Series 2005 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 6 that costs less to run day-to-day.