Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Triton Boats 218 Bay Explorer 2010 vs Triton Boats Frontier 21 DC 2006: Same Brand, Different Boat
The Triton Boats 218 Bay Explorer 2010 vs Triton Boats Frontier 21 DC 2006 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 - Triton Boats 218 Bay Explorer 2010 at 21,7 ft versus Triton Boats Frontier 21 DC 2006 at 21,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Triton Boats 218 Bay Explorer 2010 tips the scales at 2 200 lbs - 820 lbs more than the Triton Boats Frontier 21 DC 2006 at 1 380 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 150 hp, the Triton Boats 218 Bay Explorer 2010 has a 25-hp advantage over the Triton Boats Frontier 21 DC 2006's 125-hp ceiling - enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Triton Boats 218 Bay Explorer 2010 carries 56 gallons versus 30 gallons in the Triton Boats Frontier 21 DC 2006. 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 Triton Boats 218 Bay Explorer 2010 is rated for 9 passengers, while the Triton Boats Frontier 21 DC 2006 caps at 8. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Triton Boats 218 Bay Explorer 2010 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Triton Boats 218 Bay Explorer 2010 if your priority is putting more people on the water - it handles 9 passengers and at 21,7 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Triton Boats Frontier 21 DC 2006 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 8 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
MakeTriton Boats
MakeTriton Boats
Model218 Bay Explorer
ModelFrontier 21 DC
Model Year2010
Model Year2006
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam8 ft. 6 in.
Beam90 in.
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Meters2.29
Beam - Inches102
Beam - Inches90
Bridge clearance - Detail5 ft. 6 in.
Bridge clearance - Detailnot available
Bridge clearance - Meters1.68
Bridge clearance - Metersnot available
Bridge clearance - Inches66
Bridge clearance - Inchesnot available
Deadrise15℃
Deadrisenot available
Draft [max] - Detail12 in.
Draft [max] - Detailnot available
Draft [max] - Meters0.3
Draft [max] - Metersnot available
Draft [max] - Inches12
Draft [max] - Inchesnot available
Weight - Detail2,200 lbs.
Weight - Detail1,380 lbs.
Weight - kg997.9
Weight - kg625.96
Weight - lbs.2200
Weight - lbs.1380
Height [transom]25 in.
Height [transom]20 in.
Length - Feet21.67
Length - Feet21
Length overall - Detail21 ft. 8 in.
Length overall - Detail21 ft. 0 in.
Length overall - Meters6.6
Length overall - Meters6.4
Length overall - Inches260
Length overall - Inches252
Depth - Detailnot available
Depth - Detail26 in.
Depth - Centimetersnot available
Depth - Centimeters66.04
Depth - Inchesnot available
Depth - Inches26
Width [transom] - Detailnot available
Width [transom] - Detail70 in.
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialnot available
Hull typeModified Vee
Hull typenot available
Hull thicknessnot available
Hull thickness100 ga.
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail56 gal.
Fuel tank capacity - Detail30 gal.
Fuel tank capacity - Liters211.98
Fuel tank capacity - Liters113.56
Fuel tank capacity - Gal56
Fuel tank capacity - Gal30
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typenot available
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeOutboard
Horsepower150 - 225
Horsepowernot available
Engine maxnot available
Engine max125 hp
Operational Info
StorageBaitwells: 15 & 28 gal. Fish / Storage Boxes: 281 qt. total Ice Chest: 94 qt.
Storagenot available
Maximum people9 / 1,300 lbs.
Maximum people8
Pontoon and Inflatable Specific
Tube gaugenot available
Tube gauge80 ga.