Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Lowe 165S Angler 2008 vs Lowe Platinum 23 RFL 2013 — Same Brand, Different Boat
Matching a deep vee Lowe 165S Angler 2008 against a pontoon Lowe Platinum 23 RFL 2013 means you're likely deciding between two genuinely different on-water experiences. Hull type shapes everything from ride quality and fuel burn to dock handling and resale trajectory.
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Lowe Platinum 23 RFL 2013 measures 22,0 feet overall (2013), giving it roughly 6,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Lowe 165S Angler 2008 at 16,0 feet (2008). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Lowe Platinum 23 RFL 2013 tips the scales at 2 839 lbs — 1 936 lbs less than the Lowe 165S Angler 2008 at 903 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 Lowe Platinum 23 RFL 2013 has a 75-hp advantage over the Lowe 165S Angler 2008's 75-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Lowe Platinum 23 RFL 2013 carries 22 gallons versus 13 gallons in the Lowe 165S Angler 2008. 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 Lowe Platinum 23 RFL 2013 is rated for 11 passengers, while the Lowe 165S Angler 2008 caps at 6. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Lowe Platinum 23 RFL 2013 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Lowe Platinum 23 RFL 2013 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 11 passengers and at 22,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Lowe 165S Angler 2008 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 6 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
Model165S Angler
ModelPlatinum 23 RFL
Model Year2008
Model Year2013
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam82 in. (2.08 m)
Beam102 in. (2.5 m)
Beam - Meters2.08
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Inches82
Beam - Inches102
Weight - Detail903 lbs. (410 kg)
Weight - Detail2,839 lbs. (1,287 kg)
Weight - kg409.59
Weight - kg1287.75
Weight - lbs.903
Weight - lbs.2839
Width [transom] - DetailBottom: 70.5 in. (1.8 m)
Width [transom] - Detailnot available
Height - Detail38 in. (.9 m)
Height - Detailnot available
Height - Meters0.97
Height - Metersnot available
Height - Inches38
Height - Inchesnot available
Height [transom]20 in. (.5 m)
Height [transom]not available
Length - Meters5
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Feet16
Length - Feet22
Length - Inches5
Length - Inchesnot available
Length overall - Detail16 ft. 5 in. (5 m)
Length overall - Detailnot available
Length overall - Meters5
Length overall - Metersnot available
Length overall - Inches197
Length overall - Inchesnot available
Length [at waterline]not available
Length [at waterline]22 ft. (6.7 m) pontoon log
Length [deck]not available
Length [deck]22 ft. (6.7 m)
Body / Hull
Hull materialAluminum
Hull materialAluminum
Hull thickness.100 in. (2.5 mm)
Hull thicknessnot available
Hull typeDeep Vee
Hull typePontoon
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail13 gal. (49 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail22 gal. (91 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters49.21
Fuel tank capacity - Liters83.28
Fuel tank capacity - Gal13
Fuel tank capacity - Gal22
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeOutboard
Engine max75 hp (56 kW)
Engine max150 hp (112 kW)
Operational Info
Maximum capacity1,360 lbs. (617 kg)
Maximum capacity2,140 lbs. (970 kg)
Maximum people6 / 800 lbs. (363 kg)
Maximum people11 / 1,478 lbs. (670 kg)
Trailer Info
Trailer - Length over allTongue in: 20 ft. 8 in. (6.3 m)
Trailer - Length over allnot available
Trailer - Width89 in. (2.26 m)
Trailer - Widthnot available
Pontoon and Inflatable Specific
Tube diameternot available
Tube diameter25 in. (0.64 m)
Tube gaugenot available
Tube gauge0.080 in. (2.03 mm)
Number of tubesnot available
Number of tubes2