When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Lowe A160S 2012 and the Lowe ST190 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 A160S 2012 at 16,1 ft versus Lowe ST190 2011 at 18,7 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Lowe A160S 2012 tips the scales at 711 lbs — 605 lbs more than the Lowe ST190 2011 at 106 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 115 hp, the Lowe ST190 2011 has a 65-hp advantage over the Lowe A160S 2012's 50-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 A160S 2012 carries 6 gallons versus 2 gallons in the Lowe ST190 2011. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.

Both boats are rated for 5 passengers — a good fit for a family of four or five plus guests. Comfort at capacity is another matter; the longer hull typically means more seat options and better weight distribution.