Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Lowe 175 Fish & Ski 2008 vs Lowe Frontier 1650 SC 2013 — Same Brand, Different Boat
Matching a deep vee Lowe 175 Fish & Ski 2008 against a modified vee Lowe Frontier 1650 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 175 Fish & Ski 2008 at 17,0 ft versus Lowe Frontier 1650 SC 2013 at 16,0 ft. At 115 lbs and 68 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 175 Fish & Ski 2008 has a 55-hp advantage over the Lowe Frontier 1650 SC 2013's 60-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 175 Fish & Ski 2008 is rated for 6 passengers, while the Lowe Frontier 1650 SC 2013 caps at 4. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Lowe 175 Fish & Ski 2008 could be the deciding factor.
At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Lowe 175 Fish & Ski 2008 comes in at 1 lbs per hp versus 1 lbs per hp for the Lowe Frontier 1650 SC 2013. 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 175 Fish & Ski 2008 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 6 passengers and at 17,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Lowe Frontier 1650 SC 2013 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
Model175 Fish & Ski
ModelFrontier 1650 SC
Model Year2008
Model Year2013
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam92 in. (2.33 m)
Beam74 in. (1.88 m)
Beam - Meters2.34
Beam - Meters1.88
Beam - Inches92
Beam - Inches74
Weight - Detail1,150 lbs. (522 kg)
Weight - Detail680 lbs. (308 kg)
Weight - kg521.63
Weight - kg308.44
Weight - lbs.115
Weight - lbs.68
Width [transom] - Detail80 in. (2 m)
Width [transom] - Detail50 in. (1.27 m) bottom
Height - Detail40 in. (1.01 m)
Height - Detailnot available
Height - Meters1.02
Height - Metersnot available
Height - Inches4
Height - Inchesnot available
Height [transom]20 in. (.5 m)
Height [transom]20 in. (0.5 m)
Length - Meters5.53
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Feet17
Length - Feet16
Length - Inches3
Length - Inchesnot available
Length overall - Detail17 ft. 3 in. (5.53 m)
Length overall - Detail16 ft. (4.88 m)
Length overall - Meters5.26
Length overall - Meters4.88
Length overall - Inches207
Length overall - Inches192
Depth - Detailnot available
Depth - Detail21 in. (0.53 m)
Depth - Centimetersnot available
Depth - Centimeters53.34
Depth - Inchesnot available
Depth - Inches21
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 - Detail27 gal. (102 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Liters102.21
Fuel tank capacity - Litersnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Gal27
Fuel tank capacity - Galnot available
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeOutboard
Engine max115 hp (86 kW)
Engine max60 hp (45 kW)
Operational Info
Maximum capacity1,600 lbs. (725 kg)
Maximum capacity1,001 lbs. (454 kg)
Maximum people6 / 960 lbs. (435 kg)
Maximum people4 / 500 lbs. (227 kg)
Trailer Info
Trailer - Length over allTongue in: 20 ft. 11 in. (6.4 m)
Trailer - Length over allnot available
Trailer - Width102 in. (2.59 m)
Trailer - Widthnot available