Lowe Platinum 25 RFL 2013 vs Lowe SD224 2012 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Lowe Platinum 25 RFL 2013 or the Lowe SD224 2012?

The Lowe Platinum 25 RFL 2013 is the longer of the two at 25,0 feet overall. The Lowe SD224 2012 comes in at 22,0 feet, making it roughly 3,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Lowe Platinum 25 RFL 2013 or the Lowe SD224 2012?

For trailering, the Lowe SD224 2012 has the edge at 218 lbs dry weight versus 342 lbs for the Lowe Platinum 25 RFL 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 Platinum 25 RFL 2013 tops out at 150 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 25 RFL 2013 is Coast Guard rated for 13 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: Do these boats require an oversize trailer permit to tow on US highways?

Both the Lowe Platinum 25 RFL 2013 and Lowe SD224 2012 share an 102 in. (2.5 m) beam — meaning both sit right at the 8’6" threshold that most US states use for standard-width loads. In most states you can tow at that width without a special permit, but regulations vary. Always check the rules for your state and any states you'll be passing through before your first long haul.

Q: Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Lowe Platinum 25 RFL 2013 or the Lowe SD224 2012?

The Lowe SD224 2012 has the bigger tank at 38 gallons, versus 22 gallons on the Lowe Platinum 25 RFL 2013. That 16-gallon difference translates to roughly 48–80 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Lowe Platinum 25 RFL 2013 and Lowe SD224 2012 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Lowe Platinum 25 RFL 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 Platinum 25 RFL 2013 vs Lowe SD224 2012

Lowe

Lowe Platinum 25 RFL 2013

2013

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Lowe

Lowe SD224 2012

2012

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Lowe Platinum 25 RFL 2013 vs Lowe SD224 2012 — Same Brand, Different Boat

Matching a pontoon Lowe Platinum 25 RFL 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.

On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Lowe Platinum 25 RFL 2013 at 25,0 ft versus Lowe SD224 2012 at 22,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Lowe Platinum 25 RFL 2013 tips the scales at 342 lbs — 124 lbs more than the Lowe SD224 2012 at 218 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 175 hp, the Lowe SD224 2012 has a 25-hp advantage over the Lowe Platinum 25 RFL 2013's 150-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 SD224 2012 carries 38 gallons versus 22 gallons in the Lowe Platinum 25 RFL 2013. 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 25 RFL 2013 is rated for 13 passengers, while the Lowe SD224 2012 caps at 12. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Lowe Platinum 25 RFL 2013 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Lowe Platinum 25 RFL 2013 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 13 passengers and at 25,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Lowe SD224 2012 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 12 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeLowe

ModelPlatinum 25 RFL

ModelSD224

Model Year2013

Model Year2012

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam102 in. (2.5 m)

Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.5 m)

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Inches102

Weight - Detail3,095 lbs. (1,403 kg) / 3,420 lbs. (1,551 kg)

Weight - Detail2,180 lbs. (988 kg)

Weight - kg1551.28

Weight - kg988.83

Weight - lbs.342

Weight - lbs.218

Length [at waterline]24 ft. (7.32 m) pontoon log

Length [at waterline]not available

Length [deck]25 ft. (7.62 m)

Length [deck]not available

Length - Feet25

Length - Feet22

Width [transom] - Detailnot available

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

Height [transom]not available

Height [transom]20 in. (0.5 m)

Length overall - Detailnot available

Length overall - Detail22 ft. (6.7 m)

Length overall - Metersnot available

Length overall - Meters6.71

Length overall - Inchesnot available

Length overall - Inches264

Body / Hull

Hull materialAluminum

Hull typePontoon

Hull typeModified Vee

Hull thicknessnot available

Hull thickness0.110 in. (2.79 mm)

Pontoon and Inflatable Specific

Tube diameter25 in. (0.64 m)

Tube diameternot available

Tube gauge0.080 in. (2.03 mm)

Tube gaugenot available

Number of tubes2

Number of tubesnot available

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail22 gal. (91 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail38 gal. (144 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters83.28

Fuel tank capacity - Liters143.85

Fuel tank capacity - Gal22

Fuel tank capacity - Gal38

Fuel typeGas

Drive typeOutboard

Engine max150 hp (112 kW)

Engine max175 hp (130 kW)

Operational Info

Maximum capacity2,365 lbs. (1,072 kg)

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

Maximum people13 / 1,703 lbs. (772 kg)

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

Lowe Platinum 25 RFL 2013 vs Lowe SD224 2012 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Lowe Platinum 25 RFL 2013 or the Lowe SD224 2012?

The Lowe Platinum 25 RFL 2013 is the longer of the two at 25,0 feet overall. The Lowe SD224 2012 comes in at 22,0 feet, making it roughly 3,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which is easier to trailer — the Lowe Platinum 25 RFL 2013 or the Lowe SD224 2012?

For trailering, the Lowe SD224 2012 has the edge at 218 lbs dry weight versus 342 lbs for the Lowe Platinum 25 RFL 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 Platinum 25 RFL 2013 tops out at 150 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 25 RFL 2013 is Coast Guard rated for 13 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.

Do these boats require an oversize trailer permit to tow on US highways?

Both the Lowe Platinum 25 RFL 2013 and Lowe SD224 2012 share an 102 in. (2.5 m) beam — meaning both sit right at the 8’6" threshold that most US states use for standard-width loads. In most states you can tow at that width without a special permit, but regulations vary. Always check the rules for your state and any states you'll be passing through before your first long haul.

Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Lowe Platinum 25 RFL 2013 or the Lowe SD224 2012?

The Lowe SD224 2012 has the bigger tank at 38 gallons, versus 22 gallons on the Lowe Platinum 25 RFL 2013. That 16-gallon difference translates to roughly 48–80 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Lowe Platinum 25 RFL 2013 and Lowe SD224 2012 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Lowe Platinum 25 RFL 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 Platinum 25 RFL 2013 full specs ← Lowe SD224 2012 full specs