Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Lowe SS250XD 2012 vs Lowe ST175 2010 — Same Brand, Different Boat
Matching a pontoon Lowe SS250XD 2012 against a modified vee Lowe ST175 2010 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 SS250XD 2012 measures 23,7 feet overall (2012), giving it roughly 6,3 additional feet of deck space compared to the Lowe ST175 2010 at 17,4 feet (2010). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Lowe ST175 2010 tips the scales at 995 lbs — 801 lbs less than the Lowe SS250XD 2012 at 194 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 SS250XD 2012 has a 75-hp advantage over the Lowe ST175 2010'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 SS250XD 2012 carries 24 gallons versus 13 gallons in the Lowe ST175 2010. 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 SS250XD 2012 is rated for 14 passengers, while the Lowe ST175 2010 caps at 4. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Lowe SS250XD 2012 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Lowe SS250XD 2012 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 14 passengers and at 23,7 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Lowe ST175 2010 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 4 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
Model Year2012
Model Year201
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.5 m)
Beam85 in. (2.15 m)
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Meters2.16
Beam - Inches102
Beam - Inches85
Weight - Detail1,940 lbs. (880 kg)
Weight - Detail995 lbs. (451 kg)
Weight - kg879.97
Weight - kg451.32
Weight - lbs.194
Weight - lbs.995
Length [at waterline]24 ft. 3 in. (7.39 m) pontoon log
Length [at waterline]not available
Length [deck]23 ft. 8 in. (7.2 m)
Length [deck]not available
Length - Feet23.67
Length - Feet17.42
Depth - Detailnot available
Depth - Detail21 in. (0.53 m)
Depth - Centimetersnot available
Depth - Centimeters53.34
Depth - Inchesnot available
Depth - Inches21
Draft [max] - Detailnot available
Draft [max] - Detail12 in. (0.30 m)
Draft [max] - Metersnot available
Draft [max] - Meters0.3
Draft [max] - Inchesnot available
Draft [max] - Inches12
Width [transom] - Detailnot available
Width [transom] - DetailBottom Width: 60 in. (1.52 m)
Height [transom]not available
Height [transom]20 in. (0.5 m)
Length overall - Detailnot available
Length overall - Detail17 ft. 5 in. (5.31 m)
Length overall - Metersnot available
Length overall - Meters5.31
Length overall - Inchesnot available
Length overall - Inches209
Body / Hull
Hull materialAluminum
Hull materialAluminum
Hull typePontoon
Hull typeModified Vee
Hull thicknessnot available
Hull thickness0.100 in. (2.5 mm)
Pontoon and Inflatable Specific
Tube diameter25 in. (0.64 m)
Tube diameternot available
Tube gauge0.080 in. (2.03 mm)
Tube gaugenot available
Number of tubes2
Number of tubesnot available
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail24 gal. (91 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail13 gal. (49 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters90.85
Fuel tank capacity - Liters49.21
Fuel tank capacity - Gal24
Fuel tank capacity - Gal13
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typenot available
Engine max150 hp (112 kW)
Engine max75 hp (56 kW)
Operational Info
Maximum capacity2,787 lbs. (1,264 kg)
Maximum capacity1,110 lbs. (458 kg)
Maximum people14 / 2,147 lbs. (974 kg)
Maximum people4 / 650 lbs. (295 kg)
Trailer Info
Trailer - Detailnot available
Trailer - DetailPainted bunk trailer with swing tongue
Trailer - Length over allnot available
Trailer - Length over all20 ft. 8 in. (6.30 m) with tongue in
Trailer - Widthnot available
Trailer - Width89 in. (2.26 m)