Premier 250 Sunsation Upper Deck Is a Great Companion for Your Vacation!

Premier 250 Sunsation Upper Deck Review

Reference price: from $67,999

Type: Pontoon boat

Weight: 2400-3000 lbs.

Size: 25′ 5″

Number of persons carried: 19

What we like about it: The cool double hull design is visually appealing.

What we didn’t like about it: The ship’s luxurious appointments come at a more expensive price.

Rating (4.8/5)

The Premier 250 Sunsation Upper Deck, one of Premier’s best-selling models, has won many people’s favor due to its outstanding appearance and comfortable ride. 25 feet or more of hull length is able to accommodate up to 19 people, and the double-deck design is able to satisfy the passengers’ needs for space to a greater extent. In addition, the swimming ladder and swimming platform provide an additional entertainment for those who love to swim.

Below, I’m going to go into a more detailed look at several aspects of the Premier 250 Sunsation RL, including the driving experience, the ride, and the specification layout. If you are interested in this boat, don’t hesitate to read on to for more information about the boat.

Overall Impression

For me, who had never traveled on a double-decker pontoon boat before, this type of boat held a lot of appeal for me. But due to the sought-after nature of double-deckers, it has been difficult to book the boat of my choice every time I traveled.

Finally, Tom, an old friend of the charter company, sent me a message saying that a double-decker boat had recently become available and asked if I needed to rent it. As I was not too busy with work recently and it coincided with my wife Lily’s birthday, I quickly set up a time to book the boat.

The double-decker I booked was a Premier 250 Sunsation Upper Deck, and at over 25 feet long, we had plenty of room for a large family. The day of the trip came quickly in our anticipation, and it was a beautiful sunny day without being too hot. The weather was very pleasant.

Driving Experience

I boarded the Premier 250 Sunsation Upper Deck from the bow section, walked over to the driver’s seat and sat down. The soft and comfortable captain’s seat immediately caught my attention. The small headrest on the upper part of the seat fit my neck just right, so even if I felt tired while driving, I could lean back and feel the headrest supporting me. There were also adjustable armrests that could be angled up and down to suit my driving habits.

Thanks to the location of the upper deck, the lower back half of the cabin was shaded to a certain extent, adding a roof to the cockpit, avoiding direct sunlight to a certain extent on my driving.

I started the engine and the boat left the shore towards the depths of the lake under my maneuvers. The cell phone I carried with was placed on a cell phone holder on the right side of the console, so I could easily keep track of the boat’s movement through the dashboard on the console.

Riding Experience

Following the instructions of the GPS global positioning system, I pulled the boat to a suitable spot to park on the water. After turning off the engine I joined in the gathering of family and friends.

As I drove the Premier 250 Sunsation Upper Deck, Lily kept me company in the couch area next to the cockpit where a small tabletop held a variety of snacks and drinks. I walked over to her and pulled her into the family chit-chat, and they had a great time talking on the two L-shaped sofas at the bow of the boat.

It was Lily’s birthday and of course we had an extra surprise for her when our sister magically removed the pre-prepared birthday cake from the storage box at the bottom of the couch. The cake was well protected, which was a credit to the smooth running of the ship. “Happy birthday to you!” we gathered around and sang the birthday song for Lily, making wishes and dividing the cake. Everything went smoothly.

According to our plan, the only mishap was that it was too windy on the water to light the candles. Even though we had to skip this step, Lily said it was a very memorable birthday.

Perfect Second Floor

After a bit of hijinks had ended, down the aft stairs we climbed up to the upper deck, which was simply arranged with a few lounge chairs, fantastic for our sun-loving suntanners. I loved the feeling of my skin heating up slightly as I soaked up the sun with my sunglasses on.

The water slide setup on the upper deck was a hit with me, and the feeling of going straight down into the water from the height of the upper deck was very exciting, with the sound of the wind whistling in my ears.

I swam around the Premier 250 Sunsation Upper Deck, re-boarded via the swim handrail at the stern and changed into dry clothes in the improvised changing room.

Specification

The Premier 250 Sunsation Upper Deck is commendable in many ways as a recreational pontoon boat.

First of all, the spaciousness of the cockpit ensures that the captain’s legs can be fully stretched without feeling cramped. The comfortable and adjustable seats can be adjusted according to the captain’s driving habits, further ensuring driving comfort.

The captain can also use the various instrument data on the console to understand the vessel’s sailing parameters, which is very important for safety reasons. In addition, the console is fully equipped with GPS, audio system and various lighting controls to maximize the captain’s operational convenience.

Secondly, in terms of spatial layout, the Premier 250 Sunsation Upper Deck is designed with two levels, upper and lower. The soft and cozy sofa area on the lower deck is a great place for chatting and resting. If you feel that the sun is too bright, then the Bimini top can provide a good shade.

The Upper Deck focuses on recreation and entertainment, with a spacious deck that can be arranged according to your preferences, and a water slide designed to fulfill your entertainment needs as much as possible.

Finally, the boat has been well thought out when it comes to some of the details of the design. The cell phone storage bag under the sofa can conveniently store the cell phone you carry, and there are cup holders set up everywhere to conveniently place drinks.

The most humanized setting is the folding changing room design, which takes into account the need for privacy, and the folding arrangement does not take up too much space.

What do we like about it

• The double-decker design can carry more people together, which is more suitable for some large parties.
• The Bimini top provides a range of shelters that effectively block direct sunlight.
• Clarion® stereo audio and four Clarion® speakers provide high-quality sound that is guaranteed to reach all corners of the cabin.
• The cell phone holder, USB fast charger and 12V outlet provide great convenience for storing and charging your cell phone.
• Cell phone storage pockets, paper towel holders, trash bins and other details are very user-friendly.
• Folding changing rooms are well thought out for those with a greater sense of privacy and boundaries.
• The soft, skin-friendly sofa material is very comfortable for passengers in the ride experience.

What we don’t like about it

• This larger vessel will be larger in deadweight, resulting in a higher fuel consumption of the vessel and a higher subsequent capital investment.
• The more luxurious features come at a price that is not quite right for everyone.

FAQ

1. How many people can fit on a pontoon boat?

Depending on the size of the pontoon boat, the capacity of the boat will also vary, from as few as 2 or 3 people to as many as about 20 people.

In the case of the  Premier 250 Sunsation Upper Deck we are introducing today, the maximum number of people it can carry is 19, which belongs to a slightly larger boat, and is more suitable for organizing some parties with a larger number of people.

2. How much is a pontoon boat?

There are many factors that affect the price of a pontoon boat, not only the performance of the boat, but also the premium that comes with the brand.

The Premier 250 Sunsation Upper Deck starts at around $68,000, which is a price that is not easy for everyone to swallow. Even if you are on a limited budget and would prefer a more cost effective boat, perhaps try contacting us and we can recommend a wider range of boats to suit your needs.

3. Can pontoon boats go in the ocean?

Generally speaking, based on the hull structure of pontoon boats, they are not well suited for navigating in seawater. Because of the complex hydrological conditions of the ocean, pontoon boats are also at risk of capsizing in rough waters. For safety reasons, pontoon boats are still more suitable for traveling on calm lakes.

Premier 250 Sunsation Upper Deck SPECS

(an official) standard

Year	2023
Make	Premier
Model	250 Sunsation Upper Deck
Vehicle Type	boat
Category	Pontoon
Propulsion	Single Outboard
LOA (Length)	25 ft 4 in
Beam (Width)	8 ft 6 in
Propulsion Type	Powered
Number of Engines	1
Engine Power	200 HP
Hull Material	aluminum
Number of Pontoons	3
Max Persons	19
Fuel Capacity	37 gal
Fuel Type	Gas

Video

Comparison Table

Boats	Deck (of a boat etc)	Maximum Horsepowerlimit	Maximum capacity limit
Godfrey AquaPatio 255 SDC	Overall length 25’10”	400 HP	17 persons
Avalon Catalina Entertainer Funship 27	27’3″	250 HP	17 persons
T&M Cascade Entertainer Tri Tube 2785	Total length 27′	200HP	17 persons

Godfrey AquaPatio 255 SDC vs Premier 250 Sunsation Upper Deck

The Godfrey AquaPatio 255 SDC is the same double-deck pontoon boat design as the Premier 250 Sunsation Upper Deck, and there are still some differences in the spatial layout.

First of all, Godfrey AquaPatio 255 SDC has set up an extra sofa behind the captain’s chair, which is not very long, but always able to accommodate some more passengers. There is also a passenger seat on the other side of the driver’s seat, so that the captain can replace it in time when he or she feels stretched out.

Secondly, the Godfrey AquaPatio 255 SDC has an advantage in terms of engine horsepower, which rises to a maximum of 400HP, really suitable for those who are looking for speed.

Finally, the orientation of the slides on the Upper Deck varies. Unlike the Premier 250 Sunsation Upper Deck side-to-side slide design, the Godfrey AquaPatio 255 SDC’s slide is oriented towards the stern. This design may result in a drop point closer to the engine position, which has some implications in safety.

Avalon Catalina Entertainer Funship 27 VS Premier 250 Sunsation Upper Deck

If you favor a more luxuriously appointed double-deck pontoon boat, then this Avalon Catalina Entertainer Funship 27 may be able to fit the bill.

The Avalon Catalina Entertainer Funship 27 has been upgraded in some ways compared to the Premier 250 Sunsation Upper Deck. In terms of fuel tank capacity, the Avalon’s 58 gallon fuel capacity allows it to sail longer and farther distances.

The Premier, on the other hand, has a fuel tank capacity of 33 gallons, slightly less than the Avalon. The Avalon is also more user-friendly in terms of details, with vinyl flooring that is easy to clean and maintain, illuminated cup holders for clear access to drinks even at night, and ambient cabin lighting that sets the mood for a party.

However, I preferred the Premier’s design for the comfort of the sofas. The higher density and more flexible sofas met my expectations for comfort.

T&M Cascade Entertainer Tri Tube 2785 VS Premier 250 Sunsation Upper Deck

As a three-tube pontoon boat, the T&M Cascade Entertainer Tri Tube 2785 features a smooth ride and faster speed.

Although the T&M Cascade Entertainer Tri Tube 2785 boat is longer, the limitations of the seating setup cause this boat to carry two fewer people than the Premier. The most noticeable difference in layout between these two boats lies in the design of the aft section of the boat.

Unlike the Premier’s simple sofa arrangement, the T&M Cascade also features an additional small coffee table and two more sofa seats, making it more convenient for gatherings and other events that require object placement.

If you have any other views on the vessels we have described above, please feel free to contact us.

Summary

If you’re looking for a double-decker boat that’s suitable for hosting large parties, consider the Premier 250 Sunsation Upper Deck, a boat that will serve your needs well in terms of capacity and features.

Of course, if you’re on a tight budget and want a brand new boat, it’s a good idea to consider a more cost-effective NeoBoats. If you are interested, click on our homepage for more information.