Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Lowe 165DC Angler 2008 vs Lowe Frontier 1860 SC 2013 — Same Brand, Different Boat
Matching a deep vee Lowe 165DC Angler 2008 against a modified vee Lowe Frontier 1860 SC 2013 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.
On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Lowe 165DC Angler 2008 at 16,0 ft versus Lowe Frontier 1860 SC 2013 at 18,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Lowe 165DC Angler 2008 tips the scales at 903 lbs — 806 lbs more than the Lowe Frontier 1860 SC 2013 at 97 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.
Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling — 75 hp for the Lowe 165DC Angler 2008 and 90 hp for the Lowe Frontier 1860 SC 2013. Real-world performance will come down more to which motor is actually bolted on, its load at the time, and whether it's a 4-stroke or 2-stroke setup.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Lowe Frontier 1860 SC 2013 is rated for 7 passengers, while the Lowe 165DC Angler 2008 caps at 6. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Lowe Frontier 1860 SC 2013 could be the deciding factor.
At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Lowe Frontier 1860 SC 2013 comes in at 1 lbs per hp versus 12 lbs per hp for the Lowe 165DC Angler 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.
Bottom line: Choose the Lowe Frontier 1860 SC 2013 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 7 passengers and at 18,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Lowe 165DC Angler 2008 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 6 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
Model165DC Angler
ModelFrontier 1860 SC
Model Year2008
Model Year2013
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam82 in. (2.08 m)
Beam85 in. (2.16 m)
Beam - Meters2.08
Beam - Meters2.16
Beam - Inches82
Beam - Inches85
Weight - Detail903 lbs. (410 kg)
Weight - Detail970 lbs. (440 kg)
Weight - kg409.59
Weight - kg439.98
Weight - lbs.903
Weight - lbs.97
Width [transom] - DetailBottom: 70.5 in. (1.8 m)
Width [transom] - Detail60 in. (1.52 m) bottom
Height - Detail38 in. (.9 m)
Height - Detailnot available
Height - Meters0.97
Height - Metersnot available
Height - Inches38
Height - Inchesnot available
Height [transom]20 in. (.5 m)
Height [transom]20 in. (0.5 m)
Length - Meters5
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Feet16
Length - Feet18
Length - Inches5
Length - Inchesnot available
Length overall - Detail16 ft. 5 in. (5 m)
Length overall - Detail18 ft. (5.49 m)
Length overall - Meters5
Length overall - Meters5.49
Length overall - Inches197
Length overall - Inches216
Depth - Detailnot available
Depth - Detail24 in. (0.61 m)
Depth - Centimetersnot available
Depth - Centimeters60.96
Depth - Inchesnot available
Depth - Inches24
Body / Hull
Hull materialAluminum
Hull materialAluminum
Hull thickness.100 in. (2.5 mm)
Hull thickness0.100 in. (2.54 mm)
Hull typeDeep Vee
Hull typeModified Vee
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail13 gal. (49 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Liters49.21
Fuel tank capacity - Litersnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Gal13
Fuel tank capacity - Galnot available
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeOutboard
Engine max75 hp (56 kW)
Engine max90 hp (67 kW)
Operational Info
Maximum capacity1,360 lbs. (617 kg)
Maximum capacity1,552 lbs. (704 kg)
Maximum people6 / 800 lbs. (363 kg)
Maximum people7 / 950 lbs. (431 kg)
Trailer Info
Trailer - Length over allTongue in: 20 ft. 8 in. (6.3 m)
Trailer - Length over allnot available
Trailer - Width89 in. (2.26 m)
Trailer - Widthnot available