Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Lowe Frontier 1860 SC 2013 vs Lowe Platinum 25 RFL 2012 — Same Brand, Different Boat
Matching a modified vee Lowe Frontier 1860 SC 2013 against a pontoon Lowe Platinum 25 RFL 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 Platinum 25 RFL 2012 measures 24,5 feet overall (2012), giving it roughly 6,5 additional feet of deck space compared to the Lowe Frontier 1860 SC 2013 at 18,0 feet (2013). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Lowe Platinum 25 RFL 2012 tips the scales at 2 375 lbs — 2 278 lbs less than the Lowe Frontier 1860 SC 2013 at 97 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 150 hp, the Lowe Platinum 25 RFL 2012 has a 60-hp advantage over the Lowe Frontier 1860 SC 2013's 90-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 25 RFL 2012 is rated for 13 passengers, while the Lowe Frontier 1860 SC 2013 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 25 RFL 2012 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Lowe Platinum 25 RFL 2012 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 13 passengers and at 24,5 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Lowe Frontier 1860 SC 2013 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
ModelFrontier 1860 SC
ModelPlatinum 25 RFL
Model Year2013
Model Year2012
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam85 in. (2.16 m)
Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.5 m)
Beam - Meters2.16
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Inches85
Beam - Inches102
Depth - Detail24 in. (0.61 m)
Depth - Detailnot available
Depth - Centimeters60.96
Depth - Centimetersnot available
Depth - Inches24
Depth - Inchesnot available
Weight - Detail970 lbs. (440 kg)
Weight - Detail2,375 lbs. (1,077 kg)
Weight - kg439.98
Weight - kg1077.28
Weight - lbs.97
Weight - lbs.2375
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 - Feet24.5
Length overall - Detail18 ft. (5.49 m)
Length overall - Detailnot available
Length overall - Meters5.49
Length overall - Metersnot available
Length overall - Inches216
Length overall - Inchesnot available
Length [at waterline]not available
Length [at waterline]24 ft. (7.32 m) pontoon log
Length [deck]not available
Length [deck]24 ft. 6 in. (7.47 m)
Body / Hull
Hull materialAluminum
Hull materialAluminum
Hull thickness0.100 in. (2.54 mm)
Hull thicknessnot available
Hull typeModified Vee
Hull typePontoon
Engine and Drivetrain
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeOutboard
Engine max90 hp (67 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
Operational Info
Maximum capacity1,552 lbs. (704 kg)
Maximum capacity2,540 lbs. (1,152 kg)
Maximum people7 / 950 lbs. (431 kg)
Maximum people13 / 1,877 lbs. (851 kg)
Pontoon and Inflatable Specific
Tube diameternot available
Tube diameter25 in. (0.64 m)
Tube gaugenot available
Tube gauge0.080 in. (2.03 mm)
Number of tubesnot available
Number of tubes2