Lowe GS200 2012 vs Lowe JM220 SD 2005 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Lowe GS200 2012 or the Lowe JM220 SD 2005?

The Lowe JM220 SD 2005 is the longer of the two at 22,0 feet overall. The Lowe GS200 2012 comes in at 17,9 feet, making it roughly 4,1 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Lowe GS200 2012 or the Lowe JM220 SD 2005?

For trailering, the Lowe GS200 2012 has the edge at 1 435 lbs dry weight versus 2 581 lbs for the Lowe JM220 SD 2005. 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.

Q: Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Lowe JM220 SD 2005 is rated to a maximum of 190 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Lowe GS200 2012 tops out at 60 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 GS200 2012 is Coast Guard rated for 9 passengers, while the Lowe JM220 SD 2005 is certified for 15. 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: Do these boats require an oversize trailer permit to tow on US highways?

Both the Lowe GS200 2012 and Lowe JM220 SD 2005 share an 8 ft. 6 in. (2.5 m) beam — meaning both sit right at the 8’6" threshold that most US states use for standard-width loads. In most states you can tow at that width without a special permit, but regulations vary. Always check the rules for your state and any states you'll be passing through before your first long haul.

Q: Are the Lowe GS200 2012 and Lowe JM220 SD 2005 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Lowe GS200 2012 and the Lowe JM220 SD 2005 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 GS200 2012 vs Lowe JM220 SD 2005

Lowe

Lowe GS200 2012

2012

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Lowe

Lowe JM220 SD 2005

2005

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Lowe GS200 2012 vs Lowe JM220 SD 2005 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Lowe GS200 2012 vs Lowe JM220 SD 2005 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.

Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Lowe JM220 SD 2005 measures 22,0 feet overall (2005), giving it roughly 4,1 additional feet of deck space compared to the Lowe GS200 2012 at 17,9 feet (2012). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Lowe JM220 SD 2005 tips the scales at 2 581 lbs — 1 146 lbs less than the Lowe GS200 2012 at 1 435 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 190 hp, the Lowe JM220 SD 2005 has a 130-hp advantage over the Lowe GS200 2012's 60-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 JM220 SD 2005 is rated for 15 passengers, while the Lowe GS200 2012 caps at 9. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Lowe JM220 SD 2005 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Lowe JM220 SD 2005 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 15 passengers and at 22,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Lowe GS200 2012 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 9 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeLowe

ModelGS2

ModelJM220 SD

Model Year2012

Model Year2005

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.5 m)

Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.45 m)

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Inches102

Weight - Detail1,435 lbs. (651 kg)

Weight - Detail2,581 lbs. (1,170 kg)

Weight - kg650.9

Weight - kg1170.72

Weight - lbs.1435

Weight - lbs.2581

Length [at waterline]20 ft. (6.1 m) pontoon log

Length [at waterline]not available

Length [deck]17 ft. 11 in. (5.46 m)

Length [deck]22 ft. 0 in. (6.7 m)

Length - Feet17.92

Length - Feet22

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Meters6.7

Length overall - Detailnot available

Length overall - Detail22 ft. 0 in. (6.7 m)

Length overall - Metersnot available

Length overall - Meters6.71

Length overall - Inchesnot available

Length overall - Inches264

Body / Hull

Hull materialAluminum

Hull materialnot available

Hull typePontoon

Hull typenot available

Pontoon and Inflatable Specific

Tube diameter23 in. (0.58 m)

Tube diameter25 in. (.63 m)

Tube gauge0.080 in. (2.03 mm)

Tube gauge.080 in

Number of tubes2

Number of tubesnot available

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel typeGas

Fuel typenot available

Drive typeOutboard

Engine max60 hp (40 kW)

Engine max190 hp (141.7 kw)

Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Detail35 gal. (133 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Litersnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Liters132.49

Fuel tank capacity - Galnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Gal35

Operational Info

Maximum capacity1,869 lbs. (848 kg)

Maximum capacity2,700 lbs. (1,224.8 kg)

Maximum people9 / 1,267 lbs. (575 kg)

Maximum people15

Trailer Info

Trailer - Length over allnot available

Trailer - Length over all30 ft. 0 in

Trailer - Widthnot available

Trailer - Width8 ft. 6 in

Lowe GS200 2012 vs Lowe JM220 SD 2005 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Lowe GS200 2012 or the Lowe JM220 SD 2005?

The Lowe JM220 SD 2005 is the longer of the two at 22,0 feet overall. The Lowe GS200 2012 comes in at 17,9 feet, making it roughly 4,1 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which is easier to trailer — the Lowe GS200 2012 or the Lowe JM220 SD 2005?

For trailering, the Lowe GS200 2012 has the edge at 1 435 lbs dry weight versus 2 581 lbs for the Lowe JM220 SD 2005. 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 JM220 SD 2005 is rated to a maximum of 190 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Lowe GS200 2012 tops out at 60 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 GS200 2012 is Coast Guard rated for 9 passengers, while the Lowe JM220 SD 2005 is certified for 15. 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.

Do these boats require an oversize trailer permit to tow on US highways?

Both the Lowe GS200 2012 and Lowe JM220 SD 2005 share an 8 ft. 6 in. (2.5 m) beam — meaning both sit right at the 8’6" threshold that most US states use for standard-width loads. In most states you can tow at that width without a special permit, but regulations vary. Always check the rules for your state and any states you'll be passing through before your first long haul.

Are the Lowe GS200 2012 and Lowe JM220 SD 2005 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Lowe GS200 2012 and the Lowe JM220 SD 2005 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 GS200 2012 full specs ← Lowe JM220 SD 2005 full specs