Lowe FS165 2006 boat specs
Lowe
Lowe FS165 2006
2006
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Lowe Platinum 25 Cruise 2012 boat specs
Lowe
Lowe Platinum 25 Cruise 2012
2012
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Lowe FS165 2006 vs Lowe Platinum 25 Cruise 2012 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Lowe FS165 2006 vs Lowe Platinum 25 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 25 Cruise 2012 has a 60-hp advantage over the Lowe FS165 2006's 90-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Both carry nearly identical fuel loads — 27 gal and 24 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Lowe Platinum 25 Cruise 2012 is rated for 13 passengers, while the Lowe FS165 2006 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 25 Cruise 2012 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Lowe Platinum 25 Cruise 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 FS165 2006 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
MakeLowe
ModelFS165
ModelPlatinum 25 Cruise
Model Year2006
Model Year2012
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam82 in. (2.08 m)
Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.5 m)
Beam - Meters2.08
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Inches82
Beam - Inches102
Weight - Detail1,000 lbs. (453 kg)
Weight - Detailnot available
Weight - kg453.59
Weight - kgnot available
Weight - lbs.1
Weight - lbs.not available
Width [transom] - Detail71 in. (1.8 m)
Width [transom] - Detailnot available
Height - Detail38 in. (.97 m)
Height - Detailnot available
Height - Meters0.97
Height - Metersnot available
Height - Inches38
Height - Inchesnot available
Height [transom]20 in. (.53 m)
Height [transom]not available
Length - Meters5
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Feet16
Length - Feet24.5
Length - Inches5
Length - Inchesnot available
Length overall - Detail16 ft. 5 in. (5 m)
Length overall - Detailnot available
Length overall - Meters5
Length overall - Metersnot available
Length overall - Inches197
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 thickness.100 in. (2.5 mm)
Hull thicknessnot available
Hull materialnot available
Hull materialAluminum
Hull typenot available
Hull typePontoon
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail27 gal. (102 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail24 gal. (91 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters102.21
Fuel tank capacity - Liters90.85
Fuel tank capacity - Gal27
Fuel tank capacity - Gal24
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typeGas
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeOutboard
Engine max90 hp (67 kW)
Engine max150 hp (112 kW)
Operational Info
Maximum capacity1,497 lbs. (679 kg)
Maximum capacity2,540 lbs. (1,152 kg)
Maximum people6
Maximum people13 / 1,877 lbs. (851 kg)
Trailer Info
Trailer - DetailLB-2200-70BL - painted bunk trailer with swing tongue (16.5 in.)
Trailer - Detailnot available
Trailer - Length over all20 ft. 8 in. (6.3 m)
Trailer - Length over allnot available
Trailer - Width89 in
Trailer - Widthnot available
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

Lowe FS165 2006 vs Lowe Platinum 25 Cruise 2012 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Lowe FS165 2006 or the Lowe Platinum 25 Cruise 2012?
The Lowe Platinum 25 Cruise 2012 is the longer of the two at 24,5 feet overall. The Lowe FS165 2006 comes in at 16,0 feet, making it roughly 8,5 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.
Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?
The Lowe Platinum 25 Cruise 2012 is rated to a maximum of 150 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Lowe FS165 2006 tops out at 90 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 FS165 2006 is Coast Guard rated for 6 passengers, while the Lowe Platinum 25 Cruise 2012 is certified for 13. 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 25 Cruise 2012 measures 102" wide, compared to 82" for the Lowe FS165 2006. 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 FS165 2006 or the Lowe Platinum 25 Cruise 2012?
The Lowe FS165 2006 has the bigger tank at 27 gallons, versus 24 gallons on the Lowe Platinum 25 Cruise 2012. That 3-gallon difference translates to roughly 9–15 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.
Are the Lowe FS165 2006 and Lowe Platinum 25 Cruise 2012 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Lowe FS165 2006 and the Lowe Platinum 25 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.