Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Lowe R1652VT 2006 vs Lowe SS230XD 2012 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The Lowe R1652VT 2006 vs Lowe SS230XD 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.
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Lowe SS230XD 2012 measures 21,7 feet overall (2012), giving it roughly 5,7 additional feet of deck space compared to the Lowe R1652VT 2006 at 16,0 feet (2006). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Lowe SS230XD 2012 tips the scales at 1 805 lbs — 1 763 lbs less than the Lowe R1652VT 2006 at 42 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 SS230XD 2012 has a 100-hp advantage over the Lowe R1652VT 2006's 50-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 SS230XD 2012 is rated for 13 passengers, while the Lowe R1652VT 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 SS230XD 2012 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Lowe SS230XD 2012 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 13 passengers and at 21,7 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Lowe R1652VT 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
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 - Detail420 lbs. (190 kg)
Weight - Detail1,805 lbs. (819 kg)
Weight - kg190.51
Weight - kg818.73
Weight - lbs.42
Weight - lbs.1805
Width [transom] - Detail55 in. (1.52 m)
Width [transom] - Detailnot available
Height [transom]20 in. (.50 m)
Height [transom]not available
Length - Meters4.87
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Feet16
Length - Feet21.67
Length overall - Detail16 ft. 0 in. (4.87 m)
Length overall - Detailnot available
Length overall - Meters4.88
Length overall - Metersnot available
Length overall - Inches192
Length overall - Inchesnot available
Length [at waterline]not available
Length [at waterline]22 ft. 3 in. (6.78 m) pontoon log
Length [deck]not available
Length [deck]21 ft. 8 in. (6.6 m)
Body / Hull
Hull thickness.100 in. (.25 cm)
Hull thicknessnot available
Hull materialnot available
Hull materialAluminum
Hull typenot available
Hull typePontoon
Engine and Drivetrain
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeOutboard
Engine maxRemote: 50 hp (37 kW) Tiller: 35 hp (26 kW)
Engine max150 hp (112 kW)
Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Detail24 gal. (91 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Litersnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Liters90.85
Fuel tank capacity - Galnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Gal24
Operational Info
Maximum capacity1,145 lbs. (519 kg)
Maximum capacity2,517 lbs. (1,142 kg)
Maximum people5
Maximum people13 / 1,877 lbs. (851 kg)
Pontoon and Inflatable Specific
Tube diameternot available
Tube diameter25 in. (0.64 m)
Tube gaugenot available
Tube gauge0.080 in. (2.03 mm)
Number of tubesnot available
Number of tubes2