Matching a modified vee Lowe 22 Bay 2013 against a tunnel Lowe Frontier 1860 Tunnel Jet 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.
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Lowe 22 Bay 2013 measures 22,3 feet overall (2013), giving it roughly 4,3 additional feet of deck space compared to the Lowe Frontier 1860 Tunnel Jet 2012 at 18,0 feet (2012). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Lowe 22 Bay 2013 tips the scales at 1 923 lbs — 1 828 lbs more than the Lowe Frontier 1860 Tunnel Jet 2012 at 95 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 200 hp, the Lowe 22 Bay 2013 has a 110-hp advantage over the Lowe Frontier 1860 Tunnel Jet 2012's 90-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 22 Bay 2013 carries 41 gallons versus 19 gallons in the Lowe Frontier 1860 Tunnel Jet 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 22 Bay 2013 is rated for 8 passengers, while the Lowe Frontier 1860 Tunnel Jet 2012 caps at 7. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Lowe 22 Bay 2013 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Lowe 22 Bay 2013 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 8 passengers and at 22,3 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Lowe Frontier 1860 Tunnel Jet 2012 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 7 that costs less to run day-to-day.