Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Lowe Fishfinder 165 2005 vs Lowe Platinum 23 Cruise 2012 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The Lowe Fishfinder 165 2005 vs Lowe Platinum 23 Cruise 2012 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.
The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 150 hp, the Lowe Platinum 23 Cruise 2012 has a 90-hp advantage over the Lowe Fishfinder 165 2005's 60-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load.
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 Fishfinder 165 2005 caps at 5. 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 Fishfinder 165 2005 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 5 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
ModelFishfinder 165
ModelPlatinum 23 Cruise
Model Year2005
Model Year2012
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam71 in. (1.80 m)
Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.5 m)
Beam - Meters1.8
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Inches71
Beam - Inches102
Depth - Detail21 in. (.53 m)
Depth - Detailnot available
Depth - Centimeters53.34
Depth - Centimetersnot available
Depth - Inches21
Depth - Inchesnot available
Weight - Detail515 lbs. (233 kg)
Weight - Detailnot available
Weight - kg233.6
Weight - kgnot available
Weight - lbs.515
Weight - lbs.not available
Width [transom] - Detail48 in. (1.2 m)
Width [transom] - Detailnot available
Height [transom]20 in. (.50 m)
Height [transom]not available
Length - Meters4.88
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Feet16
Length - Feet22.25
Length overall - Detail16 ft. 0 in. (4.88 m)
Length overall - Detailnot available
Length overall - Meters4.88
Length overall - Metersnot available
Length overall - Inches192
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 thickness.072 in. (1.8 mm)
Hull thicknessnot available
Hull materialnot available
Hull materialAluminum
Hull typenot available
Hull typePontoon
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine/s standard40 hp Mercury Two-Stroke
Engine/s standardnot available
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeOutboard
Engine max60 hp (44 kw)
Engine max150 hp (112 kW)
Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Detail24 gal. (91 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Litersnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Liters90.85
Fuel tank capacity - Galnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Gal24
Fuel typenot available
Fuel typeGas
Operational Info
Maximum capacity1,166 lbs. (529 kg)
Maximum capacity2,345 lbs. (1,064 kg)
Maximum people5
Maximum people12 / 1,705 lbs. (773 kg)
Trailer Info
Trailer - DetailPainted Bunk Trailer
Trailer - Detailnot available
Trailer - Length over all20 ft. 0 in. (6.09 m)
Trailer - Length over allnot available
Pontoon and Inflatable Specific
Tube diameternot available
Tube diameter25 in. (0.64 m)
Number of tubesnot available
Number of tubes2