Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Lowe L1032 2011 vs Lowe SF194 2012 — Same Brand, Different Boat
Matching a flat Lowe L1032 2011 against a pontoon Lowe SF194 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 SF194 2012 measures 17,7 feet overall (2012), giving it roughly 16,7 additional feet of deck space compared to the Lowe L1032 2011 at 1,0 feet (2011). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Lowe SF194 2012 tips the scales at 1 575 lbs — 1 567 lbs less than the Lowe L1032 2011 at 8 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 60 hp, the Lowe SF194 2012 has a 57-hp advantage over the Lowe L1032 2011's 3-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 SF194 2012 is rated for 9 passengers, while the Lowe L1032 2011 caps at 2. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Lowe SF194 2012 could be the deciding factor.
At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Lowe L1032 2011 comes in at 3 lbs per hp versus 26 lbs per hp for the Lowe SF194 2012. The lower the ratio the more explosive the acceleration — meaningful on a short RIB where bursts of speed, quick planing, and agility in surf or tight waterways define the experience.
Bottom line: Choose the Lowe SF194 2012 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 9 passengers and at 17,7 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Lowe L1032 2011 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 2 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
Model Year2011
Model Year2012
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam48 in. (1.21 m)
Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.5 m)
Beam - Meters1.22
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Inches48
Beam - Inches102
Depth - Detail16 in. (0.41 m)
Depth - Detailnot available
Depth - Centimeters40.64
Depth - Centimetersnot available
Depth - Inches16
Depth - Inchesnot available
Weight - Detail80 lbs. (36 kg)
Weight - Detail1,575 lbs. (714 kg)
Weight - kg36.29
Weight - kg714.41
Weight - lbs.8
Weight - lbs.1575
Width [transom] - Detail32 in. (0.81 m) bottom
Width [transom] - Detailnot available
Height [transom]15 in. (0.38 m)
Height [transom]not available
Length - Feet1
Length - Feet17.67
Length overall - Detail10 ft. (3.04 m)
Length overall - Detailnot available
Length overall - Meters3.05
Length overall - Metersnot available
Length overall - Inches12
Length overall - Inchesnot available
Length [at waterline]not available
Length [at waterline]18 ft. 3 in. (5.56 m) pontoon log
Length [deck]not available
Length [deck]17 ft. 8 in. (5.38 m)
Body / Hull
Hull materialAluminum
Hull materialAluminum
Hull thickness0.050 in. (1.27 mm)
Hull thicknessnot available
Hull typeFlat
Hull typePontoon
Engine and Drivetrain
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeOutboard
Engine max3 hp (2 kW)
Engine max60 hp (40 kW)
Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Detail24 gal. (91 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Litersnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Liters90.85
Fuel tank capacity - Galnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Gal24
Operational Info
Maximum capacity275 lbs. (124 kg)
Maximum capacity1,663 lbs. (754 kg)
Maximum people2 / 180 lbs. (82 kg)
Maximum people9 / 1,262 lbs. (572 kg)
Trailer Info
Trailer - Length over all18 ft. (5.49 m)
Trailer - Length over allnot available
Pontoon and Inflatable Specific
Tube diameternot available
Tube diameter23 in. (0.58 m)
Tube gaugenot available
Tube gauge0.080 in. (2.03 mm)
Number of tubesnot available
Number of tubes2