Lowe AN165S 2005 vs Lowe ST160 2009 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Lowe AN165S 2005 or the Lowe ST160 2009?

The Lowe ST160 2009 is the longer of the two at 16,0 feet overall. The Lowe AN165S 2005 comes in at 16,0 feet, making it roughly 0,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Lowe AN165S 2005 or the Lowe ST160 2009?

For trailering, the Lowe AN165S 2005 has the edge at 81 lbs dry weight versus 865 lbs for the Lowe ST160 2009. Add a motor (typically 300–500 lbs for an outboard in this class), gear, and a partial fuel load and the difference grows. Lighter is friendlier on smaller tow vehicles and on fuel economy while hauling.

Q: Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Lowe AN165S 2005 is rated to a maximum of 75 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Lowe ST160 2009 tops out at 50 hp. Keep in mind that maximum ratings are just that — matching the motor to the actual load and usage pattern usually matters more than chasing the ceiling.

Q: How many people can each boat hold?

The Lowe AN165S 2005 is Coast Guard rated for 6 passengers, while the Lowe ST160 2009 is certified for 4. Note that legal capacity and comfortable capacity aren't always the same thing — on a full day out, most experienced boaters aim for about 80% of the rated number to keep things comfortable.

Q: Which boat has the better power-to-weight ratio?

The Lowe AN165S 2005 has a better power-to-weight ratio at 1 lbs per hp compared to 17 lbs per hp for the Lowe ST160 2009. A lower number means quicker acceleration and faster time to plane — the number that actually matters most on short, sporty boats like these.

Q: Do these boats require an oversize trailer permit to tow on US highways?

Both the Lowe AN165S 2005 and Lowe ST160 2009 share an 77 in. (1.96 m) beam — meaning both sit right at the 8’6" threshold that most US states use for standard-width loads. In most states you can tow at that width without a special permit, but regulations vary. Always check the rules for your state and any states you'll be passing through before your first long haul.

Q: Are the Lowe AN165S 2005 and Lowe ST160 2009 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Lowe AN165S 2005 and the Lowe ST160 2009 are built by Lowe. That means shared dealer networks, common parts availability, and consistent build quality across the line. The choice between them is essentially a question of how much boat you need, not which brand you trust.

Boat Comparison

Lowe AN165S 2005 vs Lowe ST160 2009

Lowe

Lowe AN165S 2005

2005

View full specs →

Lowe

Lowe ST160 2009

2009

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Lowe AN165S 2005 vs Lowe ST160 2009 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Lowe AN165S 2005 vs Lowe ST160 2009 comparison sits squarely in the category of decisions where specs alone won't tell the whole story — intended use, storage, and long-term ownership costs all factor in.

On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Lowe AN165S 2005 at 16,0 ft versus Lowe ST160 2009 at 16,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Lowe ST160 2009 tips the scales at 865 lbs — 784 lbs less than the Lowe AN165S 2005 at 81 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 75 hp, the Lowe AN165S 2005 has a 25-hp advantage over the Lowe ST160 2009's 50-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 AN165S 2005 is rated for 6 passengers, while the Lowe ST160 2009 caps at 4. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Lowe AN165S 2005 could be the deciding factor.

At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Lowe AN165S 2005 comes in at 1 lbs per hp versus 17 lbs per hp for the Lowe ST160 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.

Bottom line: Choose the Lowe AN165S 2005 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 6 passengers and at 16,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Lowe ST160 2009 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

MakeLowe

ModelAN165S

ModelST16

Model Year2005

Model Year2009

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam77 in. (1.96 m)

Beam - Meters1.96

Beam - Inches77

Weight - Detail810 lbs. (340 kg)

Weight - Detail865 lbs. (392 kg)

Weight - kg367.41

Weight - kg392.36

Weight - lbs.81

Weight - lbs.865

Height - DetailBow: 31 in. (.78 m)

Height - Detailnot available

Height - Meters0.79

Height - Metersnot available

Height - Inches31

Height - Inchesnot available

Height [transom]20 in. (.50 m)

Height [transom]20 in. (0.5 m)

Length - Meters5

Length - Meters4.88

Length - Feet16

Length - Inches5

Length - Inchesnot available

Length overall - Detail16 ft. 5 in. (5.0 m)

Length overall - Detail16 ft. (4.88 m)

Length overall - Meters5

Length overall - Meters4.88

Length overall - Inches197

Length overall - Inches192

Depth - Detailnot available

Depth - Detail21 in. (0.53 m)

Depth - Centimetersnot available

Depth - Centimeters53.34

Depth - Inchesnot available

Depth - Inches21

Draft [max] - Detailnot available

Draft [max] - Detail12 in. (0.30 m)

Draft [max] - Metersnot available

Draft [max] - Meters0.3

Draft [max] - Inchesnot available

Draft [max] - Inches12

Body / Hull

Hull thickness.072 in. (1.8 mm)

Hull thickness0.100 in. (2.5 mm)

Hull materialnot available

Hull materialAluminum

Hull typenot available

Hull typeModified Vee

Engine and Drivetrain

Engine/s standard40 hp Mercury Two-Stroke

Engine/s standardnot available

Drive typeOutboard

Drive typenot available

Engine max75 hp (56 kw)

Engine max50 hp (37 kw)

Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Detail13 gal. (49 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Litersnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Liters49.21

Fuel tank capacity - Galnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Gal13

Fuel typenot available

Fuel typeGas

Operational Info

Maximum capacity1,275 lbs. (578 kg)

Maximum capacity1,100 lbs. (499 kg)

Maximum people6

Maximum people4 / 550 lbs. (249 kg)

Trailer Info

Trailer - DetailB1718W Painted Bunk Trailer

Trailer - DetailPainted bunk trailer with swing tongue

Trailer - Length over all21 ft. (6.4 m)

Trailer - Length over all19 ft. 2 in. (5.8 m) with tongue in

Trailer - Widthnot available

Trailer - Width79 in. (0.20 m)

Lowe AN165S 2005 vs Lowe ST160 2009 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Lowe AN165S 2005 or the Lowe ST160 2009?

The Lowe ST160 2009 is the longer of the two at 16,0 feet overall. The Lowe AN165S 2005 comes in at 16,0 feet, making it roughly 0,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which is easier to trailer — the Lowe AN165S 2005 or the Lowe ST160 2009?

For trailering, the Lowe AN165S 2005 has the edge at 81 lbs dry weight versus 865 lbs for the Lowe ST160 2009. Add a motor (typically 300–500 lbs for an outboard in this class), gear, and a partial fuel load and the difference grows. Lighter is friendlier on smaller tow vehicles and on fuel economy while hauling.

Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Lowe AN165S 2005 is rated to a maximum of 75 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Lowe ST160 2009 tops out at 50 hp. Keep in mind that maximum ratings are just that — matching the motor to the actual load and usage pattern usually matters more than chasing the ceiling.

How many people can each boat hold?

The Lowe AN165S 2005 is Coast Guard rated for 6 passengers, while the Lowe ST160 2009 is certified for 4. Note that legal capacity and comfortable capacity aren't always the same thing — on a full day out, most experienced boaters aim for about 80% of the rated number to keep things comfortable.

Which boat has the better power-to-weight ratio?

The Lowe AN165S 2005 has a better power-to-weight ratio at 1 lbs per hp compared to 17 lbs per hp for the Lowe ST160 2009. A lower number means quicker acceleration and faster time to plane — the number that actually matters most on short, sporty boats like these.

Do these boats require an oversize trailer permit to tow on US highways?

Both the Lowe AN165S 2005 and Lowe ST160 2009 share an 77 in. (1.96 m) beam — meaning both sit right at the 8’6" threshold that most US states use for standard-width loads. In most states you can tow at that width without a special permit, but regulations vary. Always check the rules for your state and any states you'll be passing through before your first long haul.

Are the Lowe AN165S 2005 and Lowe ST160 2009 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Lowe AN165S 2005 and the Lowe ST160 2009 are built by Lowe. That means shared dealer networks, common parts availability, and consistent build quality across the line. The choice between them is essentially a question of how much boat you need, not which brand you trust.

← Lowe AN165S 2005 full specs ← Lowe ST160 2009 full specs