The Sun Tracker Party Barge 240 2004 vs Sun Tracker Party Barge 25 XP3 2009 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 - Sun Tracker Party Barge 240 2004 at 24,0 ft versus Sun Tracker Party Barge 25 XP3 2009 at 27,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Sun Tracker Party Barge 25 XP3 2009 tips the scales at 3 230 lbs - 1 290 lbs less than the Sun Tracker Party Barge 240 2004 at 1 940 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 Sun Tracker Party Barge 25 XP3 2009 tops out at 200 hp. Engine specs for the Sun Tracker Party Barge 240 2004 aren't listed - confirm with a dealer before selecting an outboard.Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Sun Tracker Party Barge 25 XP3 2009 carries 45 gallons versus 19 gallons in the Sun Tracker Party Barge 240 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 25 XP3 2009 is rated for 15 passengers, while the Sun Tracker Party Barge 240 2004 caps at 12. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Sun Tracker Party Barge 25 XP3 2009 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Sun Tracker Party Barge 25 XP3 2009 if your priority is putting more people on the water - it handles 15 passengers and at 27,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Sun Tracker Party Barge 240 2004 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 12 that costs less to run day-to-day.