The Sun Tracker Party Barge 27 2004 vs Sun Tracker Party Barge® 250 XP3 2012 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 27 2004 at 27,0 ft versus Sun Tracker Party Barge® 250 XP3 2012 at 27,3 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Sun Tracker Party Barge® 250 XP3 2012 tips the scales at 3 715 lbs — 3 691 lbs less than the Sun Tracker Party Barge 27 2004 at 24 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® 250 XP3 2012 tops out at 250 hp. Engine specs for the Sun Tracker Party Barge 27 2004 aren't listed — confirm with a dealer before selecting an outboard.Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Sun Tracker Party Barge® 250 XP3 2012 carries 38 gallons versus 3 gallons in the Sun Tracker Party Barge 27 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 27 2004 is rated for 16 passengers, while the Sun Tracker Party Barge® 250 XP3 2012 caps at 15. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Sun Tracker Party Barge 27 2004 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Sun Tracker Party Barge 27 2004 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 16 passengers and at 27,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Sun Tracker Party Barge® 250 XP3 2012 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 15 that costs less to run day-to-day.