Matching a pontoon Lowe Platinum 23 Cruise 2013 against a modified vee Lowe RV170 2011 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 Platinum 23 Cruise 2013 measures 22,0 feet overall (2013), giving it roughly 4,8 additional feet of deck space compared to the Lowe RV170 2011 at 17,3 feet (2011). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Lowe RV170 2011 tips the scales at 739 lbs — 491 lbs less than the Lowe Platinum 23 Cruise 2013 at 248 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 150 hp, the Lowe Platinum 23 Cruise 2013 has a 90-hp advantage over the Lowe RV170 2011's 60-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 2013 is rated for 12 passengers, while the Lowe RV170 2011 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 2013 could be the deciding factor.