Matching a pontoon Lowe SF214 2013 against a modified vee Lowe ST170 2009 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.

Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Lowe ST170 2009 measures 17,0 feet overall (2009), giving it roughly 15,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Lowe SF214 2013 at 2,0 feet (2013). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Lowe SF214 2013 tips the scales at 1 701 lbs — 706 lbs more than the Lowe ST170 2009 at 995 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 SF214 2013 has a 40-hp advantage over the Lowe ST170 2009's 75-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Lowe SF214 2013 carries 24 gallons versus 2 gallons in the Lowe ST170 2009. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Lowe SF214 2013 is rated for 11 passengers, while the Lowe ST170 2009 caps at 4. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Lowe SF214 2013 could be the deciding factor.

At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Lowe ST170 2009 comes in at 13 lbs per hp versus 15 lbs per hp for the Lowe SF214 2013. The lower the ratio the more explosive the acceleration — meaningful on a short RIB where bursts of speed, quick planing, and agility in surf or tight waterways define the experience.