Lowe L1648 2013 vs Lowe SD224 2012 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Lowe L1648 2013 or the Lowe SD224 2012?

The Lowe SD224 2012 is the longer of the two at 22,0 feet overall. The Lowe L1648 2013 comes in at 16,0 feet, making it roughly 6,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Lowe L1648 2013 or the Lowe SD224 2012?

For trailering, the Lowe SD224 2012 has the edge at 218 lbs dry weight versus 275 lbs for the Lowe L1648 2013. 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 SD224 2012 is rated to a maximum of 175 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Lowe L1648 2013 tops out at 35 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 L1648 2013 is Coast Guard rated for 4 passengers, while the Lowe SD224 2012 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: Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Lowe SD224 2012 measures 102" wide, compared to 7" for the Lowe L1648 2013. The US standard-width towing limit is 8’6" (102") in most states — anything over that may need a wide-load permit. Confirm your specific route requirements with each state's DOT.

Q: Are the Lowe L1648 2013 and Lowe SD224 2012 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Lowe L1648 2013 and the Lowe SD224 2012 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 L1648 2013 vs Lowe SD224 2012

Lowe

Lowe L1648 2013

2013

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Lowe

Lowe SD224 2012

2012

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Lowe L1648 2013 vs Lowe SD224 2012 — Same Brand, Different Boat

Matching a flat Lowe L1648 2013 against a modified vee Lowe SD224 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 SD224 2012 measures 22,0 feet overall (2012), giving it roughly 6,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Lowe L1648 2013 at 16,0 feet (2013). At 275 lbs and 218 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 175 hp, the Lowe SD224 2012 has a 140-hp advantage over the Lowe L1648 2013's 35-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 SD224 2012 is rated for 12 passengers, while the Lowe L1648 2013 caps at 4. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Lowe SD224 2012 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Lowe SD224 2012 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 L1648 2013 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

MakeLowe

ModelL1648

ModelSD224

Model Year2013

Model Year2012

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam70 in. (1.78 m)

Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.5 m)

Beam - Meters1.78

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Inches7

Beam - Inches102

Depth - Detail21 in. (0.53 m)

Depth - Detailnot available

Depth - Centimeters53.34

Depth - Centimetersnot available

Depth - Inches21

Depth - Inchesnot available

Weight - Detail275 lbs. (125 kg)

Weight - Detail2,180 lbs. (988 kg)

Weight - kg124.74

Weight - kg988.83

Weight - lbs.275

Weight - lbs.218

Width [transom] - Detail48 in. (1.2 m) bottom

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

Height [transom]15 in. (0.38 m)

Height [transom]20 in. (0.5 m)

Length - Feet16

Length - Feet22

Length overall - Detail16 ft. (4.88 m)

Length overall - Detail22 ft. (6.7 m)

Length overall - Meters4.88

Length overall - Meters6.71

Length overall - Inches192

Length overall - Inches264

Body / Hull

Hull materialAluminum

Hull thickness0.072 in. (1.83 mm)

Hull thickness0.110 in. (2.79 mm)

Hull typeFlat

Hull typeModified Vee

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel typeGas

Drive typeOutboard

Engine max35 hp (26 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 capacity973 lbs. (441 kg)

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

Maximum people4 / 555 lbs. (252 kg)

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

Lowe L1648 2013 vs Lowe SD224 2012 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Lowe L1648 2013 or the Lowe SD224 2012?

The Lowe SD224 2012 is the longer of the two at 22,0 feet overall. The Lowe L1648 2013 comes in at 16,0 feet, making it roughly 6,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which is easier to trailer — the Lowe L1648 2013 or the Lowe SD224 2012?

For trailering, the Lowe SD224 2012 has the edge at 218 lbs dry weight versus 275 lbs for the Lowe L1648 2013. 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 SD224 2012 is rated to a maximum of 175 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Lowe L1648 2013 tops out at 35 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 L1648 2013 is Coast Guard rated for 4 passengers, while the Lowe SD224 2012 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.

Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Lowe SD224 2012 measures 102" wide, compared to 7" for the Lowe L1648 2013. The US standard-width towing limit is 8’6" (102") in most states — anything over that may need a wide-load permit. Confirm your specific route requirements with each state's DOT.

Are the Lowe L1648 2013 and Lowe SD224 2012 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Lowe L1648 2013 and the Lowe SD224 2012 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 L1648 2013 full specs ← Lowe SD224 2012 full specs