Matching a modified vee Lowe 170 Stinger Bass 2008 against a deep vee Lowe 185 Fish & Ski 2008 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 170 Stinger Bass 2008 at 17,0 ft versus Lowe 185 Fish & Ski 2008 at 18,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Lowe 170 Stinger Bass 2008 tips the scales at 995 lbs — 860 lbs more than the Lowe 185 Fish & Ski 2008 at 135 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 185 Fish & Ski 2008 has a 75-hp advantage over the Lowe 170 Stinger Bass 2008'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 185 Fish & Ski 2008 carries 38 gallons versus 2 gallons in the Lowe 170 Stinger Bass 2008. 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 185 Fish & Ski 2008 is rated for 7 passengers, while the Lowe 170 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 185 Fish & Ski 2008 could be the deciding factor.

At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Lowe 185 Fish & Ski 2008 comes in at 1 lbs per hp versus 13 lbs per hp for the Lowe 170 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.