Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Lowe 1457 Sea Nymph 2008 vs Lowe FM175 2011 — Same Brand, Different Boat
Matching a modified vee Lowe 1457 Sea Nymph 2008 against a deep vee Lowe FM175 2011 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 FM175 2011 measures 17,3 feet overall (2011), giving it roughly 3,3 additional feet of deck space compared to the Lowe 1457 Sea Nymph 2008 at 14,0 feet (2008). At 14 lbs and 113 lbs respectively, both sit in a similar weight class — either should pair comfortably with most mid-size SUVs and half-ton trucks, though always confirm your specific tow rating with the motor added.
The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 115 hp, the Lowe FM175 2011 has a 100-hp advantage over the Lowe 1457 Sea Nymph 2008'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 FM175 2011 is rated for 6 passengers, while the Lowe 1457 Sea Nymph 2008 caps at 4. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Lowe FM175 2011 could be the deciding factor.
At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Lowe 1457 Sea Nymph 2008 comes in at 1 lbs per hp versus 1 lbs per hp for the Lowe FM175 2011. 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.
Bottom line: Choose the Lowe FM175 2011 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 6 passengers and at 17,3 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Lowe 1457 Sea Nymph 2008 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
Model1457 Sea Nymph
ModelFM175
Model Year2008
Model Year2011
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam57 in. (1.45 m)
Beam92 in. (2.33 m)
Beam - Meters1.45
Beam - Meters2.34
Beam - Inches57
Beam - Inches92
Weight - Detail140 lbs. (64 kg)
Weight - Detail1,130 lbs. (512 kg)
Weight - kg63.5
Weight - kg512.56
Weight - lbs.14
Weight - lbs.113
Height - Detail27.5 in. (.7 m)
Height - Detail40 in. (1.01 m) bow
Height - Meters0.71
Height - Meters1.02
Height - Inches27.5
Height - Inches4
Height [transom]15 in. (.38 m)
Height [transom]25 in. (0.64 m)
Length - Meters4.29
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Feet14
Length - Feet17.25
Length - Inches1
Length - Inchesnot available
Length overall - Detail14 ft. 1 in. (4.29 m)
Length overall - Detail17 ft. 3 in. (5.25 m)
Length overall - Meters4.29
Length overall - Meters5.26
Length overall - Inches169
Length overall - Inches207
Width [transom] - Detailnot available
Width [transom] - Detail80 in. (2 m) bottom
Body / Hull
Hull materialAluminum
Hull materialAluminum
Hull thickness.050 in. (1.27 mm)
Hull thickness0.100 in. (2.5 mm)
Hull typeModified Vee
Hull typeDeep Vee
Engine and Drivetrain
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeOutboard
Engine max15 hp (11 kW)
Engine max115 hp (86 kW) 9.9 hp (7.5 kW) Kicker motor
Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Detail27 gal. (102 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Litersnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Liters102.21
Fuel tank capacity - Galnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Gal27
Operational Info
Maximum capacity702 lbs. (318 kg)
Maximum capacity1,600 lbs. (726 kg)
Maximum people4 / 500 lbs. (227 kg)
Maximum people6 / 960 lbs. (435 kg)
Trailer Info
Trailer - Detailnot available
Trailer - DetailPainted bunk trailer
Trailer - Length over allnot available
Trailer - Length over all20 ft. 11 in. (6.4 m) with tongue in
Trailer - Widthnot available
Trailer - Width102 in. (2.59 m)