Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Lowe 185 Fishing Machine 2008 vs Lowe Platinum 23 Cruise 2012 — Same Brand, Different Boat
Matching a deep vee Lowe 185 Fishing Machine 2008 against a pontoon Lowe Platinum 23 Cruise 2012 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.
Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling — 150 hp for the Lowe 185 Fishing Machine 2008 and 150 hp for the Lowe Platinum 23 Cruise 2012. Real-world performance will come down more to which motor is actually bolted on, its load at the time, and whether it's a 4-stroke or 2-stroke setup. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Lowe 185 Fishing Machine 2008 carries 38 gallons versus 24 gallons in the Lowe Platinum 23 Cruise 2012. 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 Cruise 2012 is rated for 12 passengers, while the Lowe 185 Fishing Machine 2008 caps at 7. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Lowe Platinum 23 Cruise 2012 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Lowe Platinum 23 Cruise 2012 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 12 passengers and at 22,3 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Lowe 185 Fishing Machine 2008 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 7 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
Model185 Fishing Machine
ModelPlatinum 23 Cruise
Model Year2008
Model Year2012
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam95 in. (2.41 m)
Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.5 m)
Beam - Meters2.41
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Inches95
Beam - Inches102
Weight - Detail1,210 lbs. (549 kg)
Weight - Detailnot available
Weight - kg548.85
Weight - kgnot available
Weight - lbs.121
Weight - lbs.not available
Width [transom] - Detail83 in. (2.1 m)
Width [transom] - Detailnot available
Height - Detail41 in. (1 m)
Height - Detailnot available
Height - Meters1.04
Height - Metersnot available
Height - Inches41
Height - Inchesnot available
Height [transom]20 in. (.53 m)
Height [transom]not available
Length - Meters5.56
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Feet18
Length - Feet22.25
Length - Inches3
Length - Inchesnot available
Length overall - Detail18 ft. 3 in. (5.56 m)
Length overall - Detailnot available
Length overall - Meters5.56
Length overall - Metersnot available
Length overall - Inches219
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. 3 in. (6.78 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 - Detail38 gal. (144 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail24 gal. (91 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters143.85
Fuel tank capacity - Liters90.85
Fuel tank capacity - Gal38
Fuel tank capacity - Gal24
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeOutboard
Engine max150 hp (111 kW)
Engine max150 hp (112 kW)
Operational Info
Maximum capacity1,759 lbs. (798 kg)
Maximum capacity2,345 lbs. (1,064 kg)
Maximum people7 / 1,115 lbs. (798 kg)
Maximum people12 / 1,705 lbs. (773 kg)
Trailer Info
Trailer - Length over allTongue in: 22 ft. 7 in. (6.9 m)
Trailer - Length over allnot available
Trailer - Width102 in. (2.59 m)
Trailer - Widthnot available
Pontoon and Inflatable Specific
Tube diameternot available
Tube diameter25 in. (0.64 m)
Number of tubesnot available
Number of tubes2