Lowe JM250 SD 2005 vs Lowe X254 2013 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Lowe JM250 SD 2005 or the Lowe X254 2013?

The Lowe JM250 SD 2005 is the longer of the two at 25,0 feet overall. The Lowe X254 2013 comes in at 24,5 feet, making it roughly 0,5 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Lowe JM250 SD 2005 or the Lowe X254 2013?

For trailering, the Lowe X254 2013 has the edge at 3 115 lbs dry weight versus 3 258 lbs for the Lowe JM250 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 JM250 SD 2005 is rated to a maximum of 190 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Lowe X254 2013 tops out at 150 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 JM250 SD 2005 is Coast Guard rated for 17 passengers, while the Lowe X254 2013 is certified for 11. 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 JM250 SD 2005 and Lowe X254 2013 share an 8 ft. 6 in. (2.45 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: Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Lowe JM250 SD 2005 or the Lowe X254 2013?

The Lowe JM250 SD 2005 has the bigger tank at 35 gallons, versus 22 gallons on the Lowe X254 2013. That 13-gallon difference translates to roughly 39–65 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Lowe JM250 SD 2005 and Lowe X254 2013 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Lowe JM250 SD 2005 and the Lowe X254 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 JM250 SD 2005 vs Lowe X254 2013

Lowe

Lowe JM250 SD 2005

2005

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Lowe

Lowe X254 2013

2013

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Lowe JM250 SD 2005 vs Lowe X254 2013 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Lowe JM250 SD 2005 vs Lowe X254 2013 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.

On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Lowe JM250 SD 2005 at 25,0 ft versus Lowe X254 2013 at 24,5 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Lowe JM250 SD 2005 tips the scales at 3 258 lbs — 143 lbs more than the Lowe X254 2013 at 3 115 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 40-hp advantage over the Lowe X254 2013's 150-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Lowe JM250 SD 2005 carries 35 gallons versus 22 gallons in the Lowe X254 2013. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.

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 X254 2013 caps at 11. 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 X254 2013 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 11 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeLowe

ModelJM250 SD

ModelX254

Model Year2005

Model Year2013

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.45 m)

Beam102 in. (2.59 m)

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Inches102

Weight - Detail3,258 lbs. (1,477.8 kg)

Weight - Detail3,115 lbs. (1,412 kg)

Weight - kg1477.8

Weight - kg1412.94

Weight - lbs.3258

Weight - lbs.3115

Length [deck]25 ft. 0 in. (7.62 m)

Length [deck]24 ft. 6 in. (7.3 m)

Length - Meters7.62

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Feet25

Length - Feet24.5

Length overall - Detail25 ft. 0 in. (7.62 m)

Length overall - Detailnot available

Length overall - Meters7.62

Length overall - Metersnot available

Length overall - Inches3

Length overall - Inchesnot available

Length [at waterline]not available

Length [at waterline]24 ft. (7.3 m) pontoon log

Pontoon and Inflatable Specific

Tube diameter25 in. (.63 m)

Tube diameter25 in. (0.64 m)

Tube gauge.080 in

Tube gauge0.080 in. (2.03 mm)

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail35 gal. (133 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail22 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Liters132.49

Fuel tank capacity - Liters83.28

Fuel tank capacity - Gal35

Fuel tank capacity - Gal22

Drive typeOutboard

Engine max190 hp (141.7 kw)

Engine maxnot available

Fuel typenot available

Fuel typeGas

Horsepowernot available

Horsepower150 hp (110 kW)

Operational Info

Maximum capacity3,005 lbs. (1,352 kg)

Maximum capacity2,357 lbs. (1,069 kg)

Maximum people17

Maximum people11 / 1,695 lbs. (768 kg)

Trailer Info

Trailer - Length over all31 ft. 6 in

Trailer - Length over allnot available

Trailer - Width8 ft. 6 in

Trailer - Widthnot available

Body / Hull

Hull materialnot available

Hull materialAluminum

Hull typenot available

Hull typePontoon

Lowe JM250 SD 2005 vs Lowe X254 2013 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Lowe JM250 SD 2005 or the Lowe X254 2013?

The Lowe JM250 SD 2005 is the longer of the two at 25,0 feet overall. The Lowe X254 2013 comes in at 24,5 feet, making it roughly 0,5 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which is easier to trailer — the Lowe JM250 SD 2005 or the Lowe X254 2013?

For trailering, the Lowe X254 2013 has the edge at 3 115 lbs dry weight versus 3 258 lbs for the Lowe JM250 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 JM250 SD 2005 is rated to a maximum of 190 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Lowe X254 2013 tops out at 150 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 JM250 SD 2005 is Coast Guard rated for 17 passengers, while the Lowe X254 2013 is certified for 11. 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 JM250 SD 2005 and Lowe X254 2013 share an 8 ft. 6 in. (2.45 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.

Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Lowe JM250 SD 2005 or the Lowe X254 2013?

The Lowe JM250 SD 2005 has the bigger tank at 35 gallons, versus 22 gallons on the Lowe X254 2013. That 13-gallon difference translates to roughly 39–65 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Lowe JM250 SD 2005 and Lowe X254 2013 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Lowe JM250 SD 2005 and the Lowe X254 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 JM250 SD 2005 full specs ← Lowe X254 2013 full specs