Lowe FS165 2009 boat specs
Lowe
Lowe FS165 2009
2009
View full specs →
VS
Lowe SS210 2012 boat specs
Lowe
Lowe SS210 2012
2012
View full specs →

Lowe FS165 2009 vs Lowe SS210 2012 — Same Brand, Different Boat

Matching a deep vee Lowe FS165 2009 against a pontoon Lowe SS210 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 SS210 2012 measures 19,7 feet overall (2012), giving it roughly 3,7 additional feet of deck space compared to the Lowe FS165 2009 at 16,0 feet (2009). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Lowe SS210 2012 tips the scales at 168 lbs — 167 lbs less than the Lowe FS165 2009 at 1 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 SS210 2012 has a 25-hp advantage over the Lowe FS165 2009'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 SS210 2012 is rated for 12 passengers, while the Lowe FS165 2009 caps at 6. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Lowe SS210 2012 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Lowe SS210 2012 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 12 passengers and at 19,7 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Lowe FS165 2009 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
ModelSS21
Model Year2009
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 - Detail1,680 lbs. (762 kg)
Weight - kg453.59
Weight - kg762.03
Weight - lbs.1
Weight - lbs.168
Height [transom]20 in. (0.5 m)
Height [transom]not available
Length - Meters5
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Feet16
Length - Feet19.67
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]20 ft. 3 in. (6.17 m) pontoon log
Length [deck]not available
Length [deck]19 ft. 8 in. (6 m)
Body / Hull
Hull materialAluminum
Hull materialAluminum
Hull thickness0.100 in. (2.5 mm)
Hull thicknessnot available
Hull typeDeep Vee
Hull typePontoon
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine/s standardMercury 90 hp 2-stroke
Engine/s standardnot available
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
Engine max90 hp (67 kw)
Engine max115 hp (86 kW)
Drive typenot available
Drive typeOutboard
Operational Info
Maximum capacity1,497 lbs. (679 kg)
Maximum capacity2,248 lbs. (1,020 kg)
Maximum people6 / 995 lbs. (451 kg)
Maximum people12 / 1,746 lbs. (792 kg)
Trailer Info
Trailer - DetailPainted bunk trailer with swing tongue
Trailer - Detailnot available
Trailer - Length over all20 ft. 8 in. (6.3 m)
Trailer - Length over allnot available
Trailer - Width89 in. (2.26 m)
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 2009 vs Lowe SS210 2012 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Lowe FS165 2009 or the Lowe SS210 2012?
The Lowe SS210 2012 is the longer of the two at 19,7 feet overall. The Lowe FS165 2009 comes in at 16,0 feet, making it roughly 3,7 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.
Which is easier to trailer — the Lowe FS165 2009 or the Lowe SS210 2012?
For trailering, the Lowe FS165 2009 has the edge at 1 lbs dry weight versus 168 lbs for the Lowe SS210 2012. Add a motor (typically 300–500 lbs for an outboard in this class), gear, and a partial fuel load and the difference grows. Lighter is friendlier on smaller tow vehicles and on fuel economy while hauling.
Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?
The Lowe SS210 2012 is rated to a maximum of 115 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Lowe FS165 2009 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 2009 is Coast Guard rated for 6 passengers, while the Lowe SS210 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 SS210 2012 measures 102" wide, compared to 82" for the Lowe FS165 2009. 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 2009 or the Lowe SS210 2012?
The Lowe FS165 2009 has the bigger tank at 27 gallons, versus 24 gallons on the Lowe SS210 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 2009 and Lowe SS210 2012 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Lowe FS165 2009 and the Lowe SS210 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.