Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Lowe L1440M 2011 vs Lowe SF234 2012 — Same Brand, Different Boat
Matching a flat Lowe L1440M 2011 against a pontoon Lowe SF234 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 SF234 2012 measures 21,7 feet overall (2012), giving it roughly 7,7 additional feet of deck space compared to the Lowe L1440M 2011 at 14,0 feet (2011). At 205 lbs and 184 lbs respectively, both sit in a similar weight class — either should pair comfortably with most mid-size SUVs and half-ton trucks, though always confirm your specific tow rating with the motor added.
The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 150 hp, the Lowe SF234 2012 has a 130-hp advantage over the Lowe L1440M 2011's 20-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 SF234 2012 is rated for 13 passengers, while the Lowe L1440M 2011 caps at 3. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Lowe SF234 2012 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Lowe SF234 2012 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 13 passengers and at 21,7 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Lowe L1440M 2011 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 3 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
Model Year2011
Model Year2012
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam59 in. (1.49 m)
Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.5 m)
Beam - Meters1.5
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Inches59
Beam - Inches102
Depth - Detail19 in. (0.48 m)
Depth - Detailnot available
Depth - Centimeters48.26
Depth - Centimetersnot available
Depth - Inches19
Depth - Inchesnot available
Weight - Detail205 lbs. (92 kg)
Weight - Detail1,840 lbs. (835 kg)
Weight - kg92.99
Weight - kg834.61
Weight - lbs.205
Weight - lbs.184
Width [transom] - Detail40 in. (1.01 m) bottom
Width [transom] - Detailnot available
Height [transom]15 in. (0.38 m)
Height [transom]not available
Length - Feet14
Length - Feet21.67
Length overall - Detail14 ft. (4.27 m)
Length overall - Detailnot available
Length overall - Meters4.27
Length overall - Metersnot available
Length overall - Inches168
Length overall - Inchesnot available
Length [at waterline]not available
Length [at waterline]22 ft. 3 in. (6.78 m) pontoon log
Length [deck]not available
Length [deck]21 ft. 8 in. (6.6 m)
Body / Hull
Hull materialAluminum
Hull materialAluminum
Hull thickness0.064 in. (1.63 mm)
Hull thicknessnot available
Hull typeFlat
Hull typePontoon
Engine and Drivetrain
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeOutboard
Engine max20 hp (15 kW)
Engine max150 hp (112 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 capacity780 lbs. (354 kg)
Maximum capacity2,517 lbs. (1,142 kg)
Maximum people3 / 455 lbs. (206 kg)
Maximum people13 / 1,877 lbs. (851 kg)
Trailer Info
Trailer - Length over all19 ft. (5.79 m)
Trailer - Length over allnot available
Pontoon and Inflatable Specific
Tube diameternot available
Tube diameter25 in . (0.64 m)
Tube gaugenot available
Tube gauge0.080 in. (2.03 mm)
Number of tubesnot available
Number of tubes2