Lowe GS202 2012 vs Lowe Sport Deck - SD224 2013 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Lowe GS202 2012 or the Lowe Sport Deck - SD224 2013?

The Lowe Sport Deck - SD224 2013 is the longer of the two at 22,0 feet overall. The Lowe GS202 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 GS202 2012 or the Lowe Sport Deck - SD224 2013?

For trailering, the Lowe Sport Deck - SD224 2013 has the edge at 218 lbs dry weight versus 1 508 lbs for the Lowe GS202 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.

Q: Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Lowe Sport Deck - SD224 2013 is rated to a maximum of 175 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Lowe GS202 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 GS202 2012 is Coast Guard rated for 9 passengers, while the Lowe Sport Deck - SD224 2013 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.

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

Both the Lowe GS202 2012 and Lowe Sport Deck - SD224 2013 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 GS202 2012 and Lowe Sport Deck - SD224 2013 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Lowe GS202 2012 and the Lowe Sport Deck - SD224 2013 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 GS202 2012 vs Lowe Sport Deck - SD224 2013

Lowe

Lowe GS202 2012

2012

View full specs →

Lowe

Lowe Sport Deck - SD224 2013

2013

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Lowe GS202 2012 vs Lowe Sport Deck - SD224 2013 — Same Brand, Different Boat

Matching a pontoon Lowe GS202 2012 against a modified vee Lowe Sport Deck - SD224 2013 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 Sport Deck - SD224 2013 measures 22,0 feet overall (2013), giving it roughly 4,1 additional feet of deck space compared to the Lowe GS202 2012 at 17,9 feet (2012). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Lowe GS202 2012 tips the scales at 1 508 lbs — 1 290 lbs more than the Lowe Sport Deck - SD224 2013 at 218 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 175 hp, the Lowe Sport Deck - SD224 2013 has a 115-hp advantage over the Lowe GS202 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 Sport Deck - SD224 2013 is rated for 12 passengers, while the Lowe GS202 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 Sport Deck - SD224 2013 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Lowe Sport Deck - SD224 2013 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 12 passengers and at 22,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Lowe GS202 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

ModelGS202

ModelSport Deck - SD224

Model Year2012

Model Year2013

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.5 m)

Beam102 in. (2.5 m)

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Inches102

Weight - Detail1,508 lbs. (684 kg)

Weight - Detail2,180 lbs. (988 kg)

Weight - kg684.02

Weight - kg988.83

Weight - lbs.1508

Weight - lbs.218

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]not available

Length - Feet17.92

Length - Feet22

Width [transom] - Detailnot available

Width [transom] - Detail85 in. (2.15 m) bottom

Height [transom]not available

Height [transom]20 in. (0.5 m)

Length overall - Detailnot available

Length overall - Detail22 ft. (6.7 m)

Length overall - Metersnot available

Length overall - Meters6.71

Length overall - Inchesnot available

Length overall - Inches264

Body / Hull

Hull materialAluminum

Hull typePontoon

Hull typeModified Vee

Hull thicknessnot available

Hull thickness0.110 in. (2.79 mm)

Pontoon and Inflatable Specific

Tube diameter23 in. (0.58 m)

Tube diameternot available

Tube gauge0.080 in. (2.03 mm)

Tube gaugenot available

Number of tubes2

Number of tubesnot available

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel typeGas

Drive typeOutboard

Engine max60 hp (40 kW)

Engine max175 hp (130 kW)

Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Detail38 gal. (144 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Litersnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Liters143.85

Fuel tank capacity - Galnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Gal38

Operational Info

Maximum capacity1,869 lbs. (848 kg)

Maximum capacity2,404 lbs. (1,090 kg)

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

Maximum people12 / 1,660 lbs. (753 kg)

Lowe GS202 2012 vs Lowe Sport Deck - SD224 2013 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Lowe GS202 2012 or the Lowe Sport Deck - SD224 2013?

The Lowe Sport Deck - SD224 2013 is the longer of the two at 22,0 feet overall. The Lowe GS202 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 GS202 2012 or the Lowe Sport Deck - SD224 2013?

For trailering, the Lowe Sport Deck - SD224 2013 has the edge at 218 lbs dry weight versus 1 508 lbs for the Lowe GS202 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 Sport Deck - SD224 2013 is rated to a maximum of 175 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Lowe GS202 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 GS202 2012 is Coast Guard rated for 9 passengers, while the Lowe Sport Deck - SD224 2013 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.

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

Both the Lowe GS202 2012 and Lowe Sport Deck - SD224 2013 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 GS202 2012 and Lowe Sport Deck - SD224 2013 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Lowe GS202 2012 and the Lowe Sport Deck - SD224 2013 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 GS202 2012 full specs ← Lowe Sport Deck - SD224 2013 full specs