Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Lowe R1960MT Roughneck 2008 vs Lowe SS230XD 2012 — Same Brand, Different Boat
Matching a modified vee Lowe R1960MT Roughneck 2008 against a pontoon Lowe SS230XD 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 R1960MT Roughneck 2008 at 19,0 ft versus Lowe SS230XD 2012 at 21,7 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Lowe SS230XD 2012 tips the scales at 1 805 lbs — 1 734 lbs less than the Lowe R1960MT Roughneck 2008 at 71 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 45-hp advantage over the Lowe R1960MT Roughneck 2008's 105-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 R1960MT Roughneck 2008 caps at 8. 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 R1960MT Roughneck 2008 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 8 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
ModelR1960MT Roughneck
ModelSS230XD
Model Year2008
Model Year2012
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam83 in. (2.1 m)
Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.5 m)
Beam - Meters2.11
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Inches83
Beam - Inches102
Depth - Detail21.5 in. (.55 m)
Depth - Detailnot available
Depth - Centimeters55.88
Depth - Centimetersnot available
Depth - Inches21.5
Depth - Inchesnot available
Weight - Detail710 lbs. (322 kg)
Weight - Detail1,805 lbs. (819 kg)
Weight - kg322.05
Weight - kg818.73
Weight - lbs.71
Weight - lbs.1805
Width [transom] - Detail60 in. (1.52 m)
Width [transom] - Detailnot available
Height [transom]20 in. (.5 m)
Height [transom]not available
Length - Meters5.79
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Feet19
Length - Feet21.67
Length overall - Detail19 ft. (5.79 m)
Length overall - Detailnot available
Length overall - Meters5.79
Length overall - Metersnot available
Length overall - Inches228
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 materialAluminum
Hull materialAluminum
Hull thickness.100 in. (2.5 mm)
Hull thicknessnot available
Hull typeModified Vee
Hull typePontoon
Engine and Drivetrain
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeOutboard
Engine maxRemote: 105 hp (78 kW) Tiller: 50 hp (37 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 capacity1,898 lbs. (861 kg)
Maximum capacity2,517 lbs. (1,142 kg)
Maximum people8 / 1,185 lbs. (538 kg)
Maximum people13 / 1,877 lbs. (851 kg)
Trailer Info
Trailer - Length over all21 ft. 2 in. (6.45 m)
Trailer - Length over allnot available
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