When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Lowe 160 Stinger Bass 2008 and the Lowe R1655CC 2011 are modified vee designs with aluminum construction — the buying decision usually comes down to a handful of practical questions: how many people are you putting on the water, how far do you trailer, and what does your tow vehicle weigh?

On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Lowe 160 Stinger Bass 2008 at 16,0 ft versus Lowe R1655CC 2011 at 16,4 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Lowe 160 Stinger Bass 2008 tips the scales at 975 lbs — 206 lbs more than the Lowe R1655CC 2011 at 769 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 75 hp, the Lowe R1655CC 2011 has a 25-hp advantage over the Lowe 160 Stinger Bass 2008's 50-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 R1655CC 2011 is rated for 5 passengers, while the Lowe 160 Stinger Bass 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 R1655CC 2011 could be the deciding factor.

At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Lowe R1655CC 2011 comes in at 10 lbs per hp versus 20 lbs per hp for the Lowe 160 Stinger Bass 2008. 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.