Lowe R1652SS 2006 boat specs
Lowe
Lowe R1652SS 2006
2006
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VS
Lowe SD194 2012 boat specs
Lowe
Lowe SD194 2012
2012
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Lowe R1652SS 2006 vs Lowe SD194 2012 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Lowe R1652SS 2006 vs Lowe SD194 2012 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.

On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Lowe R1652SS 2006 at 16,0 ft versus Lowe SD194 2012 at 18,8 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Lowe SD194 2012 tips the scales at 1 985 lbs — 1 942 lbs less than the Lowe R1652SS 2006 at 43 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 SD194 2012 has a 110-hp advantage over the Lowe R1652SS 2006's 40-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 SD194 2012 is rated for 10 passengers, while the Lowe R1652SS 2006 caps at 5. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Lowe SD194 2012 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Lowe SD194 2012 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 10 passengers and at 18,8 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Lowe R1652SS 2006 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 5 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
MakeLowe
MakeLowe
ModelR1652SS
ModelSD194
Model Year2006
Model Year2012
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam75 in. (1.9 m)
Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.5 m)
Beam - Meters1.91
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Inches75
Beam - Inches102
Depth - Detail21 in. (.53 m)
Depth - Detailnot available
Depth - Centimeters53.34
Depth - Centimetersnot available
Depth - Inches21
Depth - Inchesnot available
Weight - Detail430 lbs. (195 kg)
Weight - Detail1,985 lbs. (900 kg)
Weight - kg195.04
Weight - kg900.38
Weight - lbs.43
Weight - lbs.1985
Width [transom] - Detail55 in. (1.52 m)
Width [transom] - Detail85 in. (2.15 m) bottom
Height [transom]20 in. (.50 m)
Height [transom]20 in. (0.5 m)
Length - Meters4.87
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Feet16
Length - Feet18.75
Length overall - Detail16 ft. 0 in. (4.87 m)
Length overall - Detail18 ft. 9 in. (5.72 m)
Length overall - Meters4.88
Length overall - Meters5.72
Length overall - Inches192
Length overall - Inches225
Body / Hull
Hull thickness.100 in. (.25 cm)
Hull thickness0.110 in. (2.79 mm)
Hull materialnot available
Hull materialAluminum
Hull typenot available
Hull typeModified Vee
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typeGas
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeOutboard
Engine max40 hp (30 kW)
Engine max150 hp (112 kW)
Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Detail27 gal. (102 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Litersnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Liters102.21
Fuel tank capacity - Galnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Gal27
Operational Info
Maximum capacity1,103 lbs. (591 kg)
Maximum capacity2,139 lbs. (970 kg)
Maximum people5
Maximum people10 / 1,395 lbs. (632 kg)

Lowe R1652SS 2006 vs Lowe SD194 2012 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Lowe R1652SS 2006 or the Lowe SD194 2012?
The Lowe SD194 2012 is the longer of the two at 18,8 feet overall. The Lowe R1652SS 2006 comes in at 16,0 feet, making it roughly 2,8 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.
Which is easier to trailer — the Lowe R1652SS 2006 or the Lowe SD194 2012?
For trailering, the Lowe R1652SS 2006 has the edge at 43 lbs dry weight versus 1 985 lbs for the Lowe SD194 2012. 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 SD194 2012 is rated to a maximum of 150 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Lowe R1652SS 2006 tops out at 40 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 R1652SS 2006 is Coast Guard rated for 5 passengers, while the Lowe SD194 2012 is certified for 10. 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 SD194 2012 measures 102" wide, compared to 75" for the Lowe R1652SS 2006. 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 R1652SS 2006 and Lowe SD194 2012 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Lowe R1652SS 2006 and the Lowe SD194 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.