Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Lowe JM250 SD 2005 vs Lowe RV170 2011 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The Lowe JM250 SD 2005 vs Lowe RV170 2011 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 JM250 SD 2005 measures 25,0 feet overall (2005), giving it roughly 7,8 additional feet of deck space compared to the Lowe RV170 2011 at 17,3 feet (2011). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Lowe JM250 SD 2005 tips the scales at 3 258 lbs — 2 519 lbs more than the Lowe RV170 2011 at 739 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 JM250 SD 2005 has a 130-hp advantage over the Lowe RV170 2011'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 JM250 SD 2005 is rated for 17 passengers, while the Lowe RV170 2011 caps at 4. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Lowe JM250 SD 2005 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Lowe JM250 SD 2005 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 17 passengers and at 25,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Lowe RV170 2011 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 4 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
Model Year2005
Model Year2011
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.45 m)
Beam85.5 in. (2.17 m)
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Meters2.18
Beam - Inches102
Beam - Inches85.5
Weight - Detail3,258 lbs. (1,477.8 kg)
Weight - Detail739 lbs. (335 kg)
Weight - kg1477.8
Weight - kg335.2
Weight - lbs.3258
Weight - lbs.739
Length [deck]25 ft. 0 in. (7.62 m)
Length [deck]not available
Length - Meters7.62
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Feet25
Length - Feet17.25
Length overall - Detail25 ft. 0 in. (7.62 m)
Length overall - Detail17 ft. 3 in. (5.26 m)
Length overall - Meters7.62
Length overall - Meters5.26
Length overall - Inches3
Length overall - Inches207
Depth - Detailnot available
Depth - Detail19.5 in. (0.50 m)
Depth - Centimetersnot available
Depth - Centimeters50.8
Depth - Inchesnot available
Depth - Inches19.5
Width [transom] - Detailnot available
Width [transom] - Detail60 in. (1.52 m) bottom
Height [transom]not available
Height [transom]20 in. (0.51 m)
Pontoon and Inflatable Specific
Tube diameter25 in. (.63 m)
Tube diameternot available
Tube gauge.080 in
Tube gaugenot available
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail35 gal. (133 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Liters132.49
Fuel tank capacity - Litersnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Gal35
Fuel tank capacity - Galnot available
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeOutboard
Engine max190 hp (141.7 kw)
Engine max60 hp (45 kW)
Fuel typenot available
Fuel typeGas
Operational Info
Maximum capacity3,005 lbs. (1,352 kg)
Maximum capacity1,110 lbs. (503 kg)
Maximum people17
Maximum people4 / 650 lbs. (295 kg)
Trailer Info
Trailer - Length over all31 ft. 6 in
Trailer - Length over all20 ft. 8 in. (6.3 m)
Trailer - Width8 ft. 6 in
Trailer - Widthnot available
Body / Hull
Hull materialnot available
Hull materialAluminum
Hull thicknessnot available
Hull thickness0.100 in. (2.5 mm)
Hull typenot available
Hull typeModified Vee