Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Lowe Boats Retreat 230 RFL 2021 vs Lowe L1436L 2012 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The Lowe Boats Retreat 230 RFL 2021 vs Lowe L1436L 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 Boats Retreat 230 RFL 2021 measures 23,6 feet overall (2021), giving it roughly 9,8 additional feet of deck space compared to the Lowe L1436L 2012 at 13,8 feet (2012). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Lowe Boats Retreat 230 RFL 2021 tips the scales at 2 461 lbs — 2 316 lbs more than the Lowe L1436L 2012 at 145 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 115 hp, the Lowe Boats Retreat 230 RFL 2021 has a 100-hp advantage over the Lowe L1436L 2012's 15-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 Boats Retreat 230 RFL 2021 is rated for 7 passengers, while the Lowe L1436L 2012 caps at 3. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Lowe Boats Retreat 230 RFL 2021 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Lowe Boats Retreat 230 RFL 2021 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 7 passengers and at 23,6 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Lowe L1436L 2012 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 3 that costs less to run day-to-day.
Measurements / Dimensions
Length overall - Detail23.58 ft
Length overall - Detail13 ft. 9 in. (4.19 m)
Length - Feet23.58
Length - Feet13.75
Length overall - Meters7.19
Length overall - Meters4.19
Length overall - Inches283
Length overall - Inches165
Beam8.50 ft
Beam57 in. (1.45 m)
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Meters1.45
Beam - Inches102
Beam - Inches57
Displacement2461.00 lbs
Displacementnot available
Depth - Detailnot available
Depth - Detail17 in. (0.43 m)
Depth - Centimetersnot available
Depth - Centimeters43.18
Depth - Inchesnot available
Depth - Inches17
Weight - Detailnot available
Weight - Detail145 lbs. (66 kg)
Weight - kgnot available
Weight - kg65.77
Weight - lbs.not available
Weight - lbs.145
Width [transom] - Detailnot available
Width [transom] - Detail36 in. (0.91 m) bottom
Height [transom]not available
Height [transom]15 in. (0.38 m)
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Gal24
Fuel tank capacity - Galnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Liters90.85
Fuel tank capacity - Litersnot available
Engine makeMercury
Engine makenot available
Engine modelFourstroke
Engine modelnot available
Horsepower115 hp
Horsepowernot available
Drive typeoutboard
Drive typeOutboard
Engine 2 Engine MakeMercury
Engine 2 Engine Makenot available
Engine 2 Engine ModelFourstroke
Engine 2 Engine Modelnot available
Engine 2 Horsepower115 hp
Engine 2 Horsepowernot available
Engine 2 Drive Typeoutboard
Engine 2 Drive Typenot available
Fuel typenot available
Fuel typeGas
Engine maxnot available
Engine max15 hp (11 kW)
Operational Info
TrailerableYes
Trailerablenot available
Boat typePower
Boat typenot available
Maximum capacitynot available
Maximum capacity552 lbs. (250 kg)
Maximum peoplenot available
Maximum people3 / 350 lbs. (159 kg)
General Boat Info
Makenot available
MakeLowe
Modelnot available
ModelL1436L
Model Yearnot available
Model Year2012
Body / Hull
Hull materialnot available
Hull materialAluminum
Hull thicknessnot available
Hull thickness0.050 in. (1.27 mm)
Hull typenot available
Hull typeFlat