Lowe Platinum 23 Cruise 2012 vs Lowe R1655N Roughneck 2008 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Lowe Platinum 23 Cruise 2012 or the Lowe R1655N Roughneck 2008?

The Lowe Platinum 23 Cruise 2012 is the longer of the two at 22,3 feet overall. The Lowe R1655N Roughneck 2008 comes in at 15,0 feet, making it roughly 7,3 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Lowe Platinum 23 Cruise 2012 is rated to a maximum of 150 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Lowe R1655N Roughneck 2008 tops out at 80 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 Platinum 23 Cruise 2012 is Coast Guard rated for 12 passengers, while the Lowe R1655N Roughneck 2008 is certified for 6. 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 Platinum 23 Cruise 2012 measures 102" wide, compared to 75" for the Lowe R1655N Roughneck 2008. 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 Platinum 23 Cruise 2012 and Lowe R1655N Roughneck 2008 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Lowe Platinum 23 Cruise 2012 and the Lowe R1655N Roughneck 2008 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 Platinum 23 Cruise 2012 vs Lowe R1655N Roughneck 2008

Lowe

Lowe Platinum 23 Cruise 2012

2012

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Lowe

Lowe R1655N Roughneck 2008

2008

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Lowe Platinum 23 Cruise 2012 vs Lowe R1655N Roughneck 2008 — Same Brand, Different Boat

Matching a pontoon Lowe Platinum 23 Cruise 2012 against a modified vee Lowe R1655N Roughneck 2008 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.

The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 150 hp, the Lowe Platinum 23 Cruise 2012 has a 70-hp advantage over the Lowe R1655N Roughneck 2008's 80-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 Platinum 23 Cruise 2012 is rated for 12 passengers, while the Lowe R1655N Roughneck 2008 caps at 6. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Lowe Platinum 23 Cruise 2012 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Lowe Platinum 23 Cruise 2012 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 12 passengers and at 22,3 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Lowe R1655N Roughneck 2008 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 6 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeLowe

ModelPlatinum 23 Cruise

ModelR1655N Roughneck

Model Year2012

Model Year2008

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.5 m)

Beam75 in. (1.9 m)

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Meters1.91

Beam - Inches102

Beam - Inches75

Length [at waterline]22 ft. (6.7 m) pontoon log

Length [at waterline]not available

Length [deck]22 ft. 3 in. (6.78 m)

Length [deck]not available

Length - Feet22.25

Length - Feet15

Depth - Detailnot available

Depth - Detail22.5 in. (.57 m)

Depth - Centimetersnot available

Depth - Centimeters58.42

Depth - Inchesnot available

Depth - Inches22.5

Weight - Detailnot available

Weight - Detail560 lbs. (254 kg)

Weight - kgnot available

Weight - kg254.01

Weight - lbs.not available

Weight - lbs.56

Width [transom] - Detailnot available

Width [transom] - Detail55 in. (1.39 m)

Height [transom]not available

Height [transom]20 in. (.5 m)

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Meters4.82

Length - Inchesnot available

Length - Inches1

Length overall - Detailnot available

Length overall - Detail15 ft. 10 in. (4.82 m)

Length overall - Metersnot available

Length overall - Meters4.83

Length overall - Inchesnot available

Length overall - Inches19

Body / Hull

Hull materialAluminum

Hull typePontoon

Hull typeModified Vee

Hull thicknessnot available

Hull thickness.100 in. (2.5 mm)

Pontoon and Inflatable Specific

Tube diameter25 in. (0.64 m)

Tube diameternot available

Number of tubes2

Number of tubesnot available

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail24 gal. (91 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Liters90.85

Fuel tank capacity - Litersnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Gal24

Fuel tank capacity - Galnot available

Fuel typeGas

Drive typeOutboard

Engine max150 hp (112 kW)

Engine max80 hp (60 kW)

Operational Info

Maximum capacity2,345 lbs. (1,064 kg)

Maximum capacity1,352 lbs. (613 kg)

Maximum people12 / 1,705 lbs. (773 kg)

Maximum people6 / 750 lbs. (340 kg)

Trailer Info

Trailer - Length over allnot available

Trailer - Length over all19 ft. 2 in. (5.84 m)

Lowe Platinum 23 Cruise 2012 vs Lowe R1655N Roughneck 2008 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Lowe Platinum 23 Cruise 2012 or the Lowe R1655N Roughneck 2008?

The Lowe Platinum 23 Cruise 2012 is the longer of the two at 22,3 feet overall. The Lowe R1655N Roughneck 2008 comes in at 15,0 feet, making it roughly 7,3 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Lowe Platinum 23 Cruise 2012 is rated to a maximum of 150 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Lowe R1655N Roughneck 2008 tops out at 80 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 Platinum 23 Cruise 2012 is Coast Guard rated for 12 passengers, while the Lowe R1655N Roughneck 2008 is certified for 6. 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 Platinum 23 Cruise 2012 measures 102" wide, compared to 75" for the Lowe R1655N Roughneck 2008. 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 Platinum 23 Cruise 2012 and Lowe R1655N Roughneck 2008 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Lowe Platinum 23 Cruise 2012 and the Lowe R1655N Roughneck 2008 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 Platinum 23 Cruise 2012 full specs ← Lowe R1655N Roughneck 2008 full specs