Lowe Frontier 1860 DLX 2012 vs Lowe Platinum 23 Cruise 2012 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Lowe Frontier 1860 DLX 2012 or the Lowe Platinum 23 Cruise 2012?

The Lowe Platinum 23 Cruise 2012 is the longer of the two at 22,3 feet overall. The Lowe Frontier 1860 DLX 2012 comes in at 18,0 feet, making it roughly 4,3 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Lowe Platinum 23 Cruise 2012 is rated to a maximum of 150 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Lowe Frontier 1860 DLX 2012 tops out at 75 hp. Keep in mind that maximum ratings are just that — matching the motor to the actual load and usage pattern usually matters more than chasing the ceiling.

Q: How many people can each boat hold?

The Lowe Frontier 1860 DLX 2012 is Coast Guard rated for 6 passengers, while the Lowe Platinum 23 Cruise 2012 is certified for 12. Note that legal capacity and comfortable capacity aren't always the same thing — on a full day out, most experienced boaters aim for about 80% of the rated number to keep things comfortable.

Q: Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Lowe Platinum 23 Cruise 2012 measures 102" wide, compared to 85" for the Lowe Frontier 1860 DLX 2012. The US standard-width towing limit is 8’6" (102") in most states — anything over that may need a wide-load permit. Confirm your specific route requirements with each state's DOT.

Q: Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Lowe Frontier 1860 DLX 2012 or the Lowe Platinum 23 Cruise 2012?

The Lowe Platinum 23 Cruise 2012 has the bigger tank at 24 gallons, versus 6 gallons on the Lowe Frontier 1860 DLX 2012. That 18-gallon difference translates to roughly 54–90 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Lowe Frontier 1860 DLX 2012 and Lowe Platinum 23 Cruise 2012 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Lowe Frontier 1860 DLX 2012 and the Lowe Platinum 23 Cruise 2012 are built by Lowe. That means shared dealer networks, common parts availability, and consistent build quality across the line. The choice between them is essentially a question of how much boat you need, not which brand you trust.

Boat Comparison

Lowe Frontier 1860 DLX 2012 vs Lowe Platinum 23 Cruise 2012

Lowe

Lowe Frontier 1860 DLX 2012

2012

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Lowe

Lowe Platinum 23 Cruise 2012

2012

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Lowe Frontier 1860 DLX 2012 vs Lowe Platinum 23 Cruise 2012 — Same Brand, Different Boat

Matching a modified vee Lowe Frontier 1860 DLX 2012 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.

The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 150 hp, the Lowe Platinum 23 Cruise 2012 has a 75-hp advantage over the Lowe Frontier 1860 DLX 2012'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 Cruise 2012 carries 24 gallons versus 6 gallons in the Lowe Frontier 1860 DLX 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 Frontier 1860 DLX 2012 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 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 Frontier 1860 DLX 2012 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

MakeLowe

ModelFrontier 1860 DLX

ModelPlatinum 23 Cruise

Model Year2012

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam85 in. (2.20 m)

Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.5 m)

Beam - Meters2.16

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Inches85

Beam - Inches102

Depth - Detail21 in. (0.53 m)

Depth - Detailnot available

Depth - Centimeters53.34

Depth - Centimetersnot available

Depth - Inches21

Depth - Inchesnot available

Weight - Detail723 lbs. (328 kg)

Weight - Detailnot available

Weight - kg327.95

Weight - kgnot available

Weight - lbs.723

Weight - lbs.not available

Width [transom] - Detail60 in. (1.52 m) bottom

Width [transom] - Detailnot available

Height [transom]20 in. (0.5 m)

Height [transom]not available

Length - Feet18

Length - Feet22.25

Length overall - Detail16 ft. (5.49 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 materialAluminum

Hull thickness0.100 in. (2.54 mm)

Hull thicknessnot available

Hull typeModified Vee

Hull typePontoon

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail6 gal. (23 l) portable

Fuel tank capacity - Detail24 gal. (91 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters22.71

Fuel tank capacity - Liters90.85

Fuel tank capacity - Gal6

Fuel tank capacity - Gal24

Fuel typeGas

Drive typeOutboard

Engine max75 hp (56 kW)

Engine max150 hp (112 kW)

Operational Info

Maximum capacity1,659 lbs. (753 kg)

Maximum capacity2,345 lbs. (1,064 kg)

Maximum people6 / 850 lbs. (386 kg)

Maximum people12 / 1,705 lbs. (773 kg)

Pontoon and Inflatable Specific

Tube diameternot available

Tube diameter25 in. (0.64 m)

Number of tubesnot available

Number of tubes2

Lowe Frontier 1860 DLX 2012 vs Lowe Platinum 23 Cruise 2012 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Lowe Frontier 1860 DLX 2012 or the Lowe Platinum 23 Cruise 2012?

The Lowe Platinum 23 Cruise 2012 is the longer of the two at 22,3 feet overall. The Lowe Frontier 1860 DLX 2012 comes in at 18,0 feet, making it roughly 4,3 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Lowe Platinum 23 Cruise 2012 is rated to a maximum of 150 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Lowe Frontier 1860 DLX 2012 tops out at 75 hp. Keep in mind that maximum ratings are just that — matching the motor to the actual load and usage pattern usually matters more than chasing the ceiling.

How many people can each boat hold?

The Lowe Frontier 1860 DLX 2012 is Coast Guard rated for 6 passengers, while the Lowe Platinum 23 Cruise 2012 is certified for 12. Note that legal capacity and comfortable capacity aren't always the same thing — on a full day out, most experienced boaters aim for about 80% of the rated number to keep things comfortable.

Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Lowe Platinum 23 Cruise 2012 measures 102" wide, compared to 85" for the Lowe Frontier 1860 DLX 2012. The US standard-width towing limit is 8’6" (102") in most states — anything over that may need a wide-load permit. Confirm your specific route requirements with each state's DOT.

Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Lowe Frontier 1860 DLX 2012 or the Lowe Platinum 23 Cruise 2012?

The Lowe Platinum 23 Cruise 2012 has the bigger tank at 24 gallons, versus 6 gallons on the Lowe Frontier 1860 DLX 2012. That 18-gallon difference translates to roughly 54–90 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Lowe Frontier 1860 DLX 2012 and Lowe Platinum 23 Cruise 2012 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Lowe Frontier 1860 DLX 2012 and the Lowe Platinum 23 Cruise 2012 are built by Lowe. That means shared dealer networks, common parts availability, and consistent build quality across the line. The choice between them is essentially a question of how much boat you need, not which brand you trust.

← Lowe Frontier 1860 DLX 2012 full specs ← Lowe Platinum 23 Cruise 2012 full specs