Matching a pontoon Lowe Platinum 23 Cruise 2013 against a modified vee Lowe ST160 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 6,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Lowe ST160 2011 at 16,0 feet (2011). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Lowe ST160 2011 tips the scales at 865 lbs — 617 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 100-hp advantage over the Lowe ST160 2011's 50-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 2013 carries 22 gallons versus 13 gallons in the Lowe ST160 2011. 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 2013 is rated for 12 passengers, while the Lowe ST160 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.