Lowe Boats Retreat 230 RFL 2021 vs Lowe SD190 2012 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Lowe Boats Retreat 230 RFL 2021 or the Lowe SD190 2012?

The Lowe Boats Retreat 230 RFL 2021 is the longer of the two at 23,6 feet overall. The Lowe SD190 2012 comes in at 18,8 feet, making it roughly 4,8 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Lowe Boats Retreat 230 RFL 2021 or the Lowe SD190 2012?

For trailering, the Lowe SD190 2012 has the edge at 1 985 lbs dry weight versus 2 461 lbs for the Lowe Boats Retreat 230 RFL 2021. 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 SD190 2012 is rated to a maximum of 150 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Lowe Boats Retreat 230 RFL 2021 tops out at 115 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 Boats Retreat 230 RFL 2021 is Coast Guard rated for 7 passengers, while the Lowe SD190 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.

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

Both the Lowe Boats Retreat 230 RFL 2021 and Lowe SD190 2012 share an 8.50 ft 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 Boats Retreat 230 RFL 2021 or the Lowe SD190 2012?

The Lowe SD190 2012 has the bigger tank at 27 gallons, versus 24 gallons on the Lowe Boats Retreat 230 RFL 2021. That 3-gallon difference translates to roughly 9–15 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Lowe Boats Retreat 230 RFL 2021 and Lowe SD190 2012 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Lowe Boats Retreat 230 RFL 2021 and the Lowe SD190 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 Boats Retreat 230 RFL 2021 vs Lowe SD190 2012

Lowe

Lowe Boats Retreat 230 RFL 2021

2021

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Lowe

Lowe SD190 2012

2012

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Lowe Boats Retreat 230 RFL 2021 vs Lowe SD190 2012 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Lowe Boats Retreat 230 RFL 2021 vs Lowe SD190 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 4,8 additional feet of deck space compared to the Lowe SD190 2012 at 18,8 feet (2012). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Lowe Boats Retreat 230 RFL 2021 tips the scales at 2 461 lbs — 476 lbs more than the Lowe SD190 2012 at 1 985 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 SD190 2012 has a 35-hp advantage over the Lowe Boats Retreat 230 RFL 2021's 115-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Both carry nearly identical fuel loads — 24 gal and 27 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Lowe SD190 2012 is rated for 10 passengers, while the Lowe Boats Retreat 230 RFL 2021 caps at 7. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Lowe SD190 2012 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Lowe SD190 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 Boats Retreat 230 RFL 2021 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 7 that costs less to run day-to-day.

Measurements / Dimensions

Length overall - Detail23.58 ft

Length overall - Detail18 ft. 9 in. (5.72 m)

Length - Feet23.58

Length - Feet18.75

Length overall - Meters7.19

Length overall - Meters5.72

Length overall - Inches283

Length overall - Inches225

Beam8.50 ft

Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.5 m)

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Inches102

Displacement2461.00 lbs

Displacementnot available

Weight - Detailnot available

Weight - Detail1,985 lbs. (900 kg)

Weight - kgnot available

Weight - kg900.38

Weight - lbs.not available

Weight - lbs.1985

Width [transom] - Detailnot available

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

Height [transom]not available

Height [transom]20 in. (0.5 m)

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Gal24

Fuel tank capacity - Gal27

Fuel tank capacity - Liters90.85

Fuel tank capacity - Liters102.21

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 tank capacity - Detailnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Detail27 gal. (102 l)

Fuel typenot available

Fuel typeGas

Engine maxnot available

Engine max150 hp (112 kW)

Operational Info

TrailerableYes

Trailerablenot available

Boat typePower

Boat typenot available

Maximum capacitynot available

Maximum capacity2,139 lbs. (970 kg)

Maximum peoplenot available

Maximum people10 / 1,395 lbs. (632 kg)

General Boat Info

Makenot available

MakeLowe

Modelnot available

ModelSD19

Model Yearnot available

Model Year2012

Body / Hull

Hull materialnot available

Hull materialAluminum

Hull thicknessnot available

Hull thickness0.110 in. (2.79 mm)

Hull typenot available

Hull typeModified Vee

Lowe Boats Retreat 230 RFL 2021 vs Lowe SD190 2012 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Lowe Boats Retreat 230 RFL 2021 or the Lowe SD190 2012?

The Lowe Boats Retreat 230 RFL 2021 is the longer of the two at 23,6 feet overall. The Lowe SD190 2012 comes in at 18,8 feet, making it roughly 4,8 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which is easier to trailer — the Lowe Boats Retreat 230 RFL 2021 or the Lowe SD190 2012?

For trailering, the Lowe SD190 2012 has the edge at 1 985 lbs dry weight versus 2 461 lbs for the Lowe Boats Retreat 230 RFL 2021. 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 SD190 2012 is rated to a maximum of 150 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Lowe Boats Retreat 230 RFL 2021 tops out at 115 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 Boats Retreat 230 RFL 2021 is Coast Guard rated for 7 passengers, while the Lowe SD190 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.

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

Both the Lowe Boats Retreat 230 RFL 2021 and Lowe SD190 2012 share an 8.50 ft 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 Boats Retreat 230 RFL 2021 or the Lowe SD190 2012?

The Lowe SD190 2012 has the bigger tank at 27 gallons, versus 24 gallons on the Lowe Boats Retreat 230 RFL 2021. That 3-gallon difference translates to roughly 9–15 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Lowe Boats Retreat 230 RFL 2021 and Lowe SD190 2012 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Lowe Boats Retreat 230 RFL 2021 and the Lowe SD190 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 Boats Retreat 230 RFL 2021 full specs ← Lowe SD190 2012 full specs