Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Lowe Platinum 23 Cruise 2012 vs Lowe Stinger 170 2006 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The Lowe Platinum 23 Cruise 2012 vs Lowe Stinger 170 2006 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.
The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 150 hp, the Lowe Platinum 23 Cruise 2012 has a 75-hp advantage over the Lowe Stinger 170 2006's 75-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 Platinum 23 Cruise 2012 carries 24 gallons versus 2 gallons in the Lowe Stinger 170 2006. 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 Platinum 23 Cruise 2012 is rated for 12 passengers, while the Lowe Stinger 170 2006 caps at 4. 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 Stinger 170 2006 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
ModelPlatinum 23 Cruise
ModelStinger 17
Model Year2012
Model Year2006
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.5 m)
Beam85 in. (2.15 m)
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Meters2.16
Beam - Inches102
Beam - Inches85
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 - Feet17
Depth - Detailnot available
Depth - Detail21 in. (.53 m)
Depth - Centimetersnot available
Depth - Centimeters53.34
Depth - Inchesnot available
Depth - Inches21
Draft [max] - Detailnot available
Draft [max] - Detail12 in
Draft [max] - Metersnot available
Draft [max] - Meters0.3
Draft [max] - Inchesnot available
Draft [max] - Inches12
Weight - Detailnot available
Weight - Detail1,095 lbs. (497 kg)
Weight - kgnot available
Weight - kg496.68
Weight - lbs.not available
Weight - lbs.1095
Width [transom] - Detailnot available
Width [transom] - Detail60 in. (1.52 m)
Height [transom]not available
Height [transom]20 in. (.50 m)
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Meters5.31
Length - Inchesnot available
Length - Inches5
Length overall - Detailnot available
Length overall - Detail17 ft. 5 in. (5.31 m)
Length overall - Metersnot available
Length overall - Meters5.31
Length overall - Inchesnot available
Length overall - Inches209
Body / Hull
Hull materialAluminum
Hull materialnot available
Hull typePontoon
Hull typenot available
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 - Detail20 gal. (75 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters90.85
Fuel tank capacity - Liters75.71
Fuel tank capacity - Gal24
Fuel tank capacity - Gal2
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeOutboard
Engine max150 hp (112 kW)
Engine max75 hp (56 kW)
Engine/s standardnot available
Engine/s standard'05 50 hp Mercury 2-stroke
Operational Info
Maximum capacity2,345 lbs. (1,064 kg)
Maximum capacity1,110 lbs. (503 kg)
Maximum people12 / 1,705 lbs. (773 kg)
Maximum people4
Trailer Info
Trailer - Detailnot available
Trailer - DetailLB-2200-70BL - painted bunk trailer with swing tongue (16.5 in.)
Trailer - Length over allnot available
Trailer - Length over all20 ft. 8 in. (6.4 m)
Trailer - Widthnot available
Trailer - Width89 in