When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Lowe A1467WT 2009 and the Lowe Stinger 17 HP 2013 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?

Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Lowe Stinger 17 HP 2013 measures 17,0 feet overall (2013), giving it roughly 4,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Lowe A1467WT 2009 at 13,0 feet (2009). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Lowe A1467WT 2009 tips the scales at 377 lbs — 278 lbs more than the Lowe Stinger 17 HP 2013 at 99 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 90 hp, the Lowe Stinger 17 HP 2013 has a 60-hp advantage over the Lowe A1467WT 2009's 30-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 A1467WT 2009 is rated for 5 passengers, while the Lowe Stinger 17 HP 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 A1467WT 2009 could be the deciding factor.

At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Lowe Stinger 17 HP 2013 comes in at 1 lbs per hp versus 13 lbs per hp for the Lowe A1467WT 2009. 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.