Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Lowe Frontier 1756SC 2012 vs Lowe JM224 2005 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The Lowe Frontier 1756SC 2012 vs Lowe JM224 2005 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.
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Lowe JM224 2005 measures 22,0 feet overall (2005), giving it roughly 5,2 additional feet of deck space compared to the Lowe Frontier 1756SC 2012 at 16,8 feet (2012). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Lowe JM224 2005 tips the scales at 192 lbs — 119 lbs less than the Lowe Frontier 1756SC 2012 at 73 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 115 hp, the Lowe JM224 2005 has a 40-hp advantage over the Lowe Frontier 1756SC 2012's 75-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 JM224 2005 is rated for 13 passengers, while the Lowe Frontier 1756SC 2012 caps at 5. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Lowe JM224 2005 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Lowe JM224 2005 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 13 passengers and at 22,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Lowe Frontier 1756SC 2012 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
ModelFrontier 1756SC
ModelJM224
Model Year2012
Model Year2005
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam80 in. (2.03 m)
Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.45 m)
Beam - Meters2.03
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Inches8
Beam - Inches102
Depth - Detail23 in. (0.58 m)
Depth - Detailnot available
Depth - Centimeters58.42
Depth - Centimetersnot available
Depth - Inches23
Depth - Inchesnot available
Weight - Detail730 lbs. (331 kg)
Weight - DetailStandard: 1,700 lbs. (771 kg) XL Option: 1,920 lbs. (870.9 kg)
Weight - kg331.12
Weight - kg870.9
Weight - lbs.73
Weight - lbs.192
Width [transom] - Detail56 in. (1.42 m) bottom
Width [transom] - Detailnot available
Height [transom]20 in. (0.5 m)
Height [transom]not available
Length - Feet16.83
Length - Feet22
Length overall - Detail16 ft. 10 in. (5.13 m)
Length overall - Detail22 ft. 0 in. (6.7 m)
Length overall - Meters5.13
Length overall - Meters6.71
Length overall - Inches202
Length overall - Inches264
Length [deck]not available
Length [deck]22 ft. 0 in. (6.7 m)
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Meters6.7
Body / Hull
Hull materialAluminum
Hull materialnot available
Hull thickness0.100 in. (2.54 mm)
Hull thicknessnot available
Hull typeModified Vee
Hull typenot available
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typenot available
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeOutboard
Engine max75 hp (56 kW)
Engine maxStandard: 115 hp (85 kw) XL Option: 135 hp (100 kw)
Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Detail35 gal. (133 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Litersnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Liters132.49
Fuel tank capacity - Galnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Gal35
Operational Info
Maximum capacity1,260 lbs. (572 kg)
Maximum capacityStandard: 2,463 lbs. (1,117 kg) XL Option: 2,763 lbs. (1,253 kg)
Maximum people5 / 700 lbs. (318 kg)
Maximum peopleStandard: 13 XL Option: 15
Pontoon and Inflatable Specific
Tube diameternot available
Tube diameter25 in. (.63 m)
Tube gaugenot available
Tube gauge.080 in
Trailer Info
Trailer - Length over allnot available
Trailer - Length over all30 ft. 0 in
Trailer - Widthnot available
Trailer - Width8 ft. 6 in