Matching a deep vee Lowe FS165 2012 against a pontoon Lowe SS230 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 SS230 2012 measures 21,7 feet overall (2012), giving it roughly 5,3 additional feet of deck space compared to the Lowe FS165 2012 at 16,4 feet (2012). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Lowe SS230 2012 tips the scales at 1 805 lbs — 850 lbs less than the Lowe FS165 2012 at 955 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 SS230 2012 has a 60-hp advantage over the Lowe FS165 2012'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 SS230 2012 is rated for 13 passengers, while the Lowe FS165 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 SS230 2012 could be the deciding factor.