Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Lowe Fishfinder 165 2005 vs Lowe RV190SC 2011 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The Lowe Fishfinder 165 2005 vs Lowe RV190SC 2011 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 Fishfinder 165 2005 at 16,0 ft versus Lowe RV190SC 2011 at 18,4 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Lowe Fishfinder 165 2005 tips the scales at 515 lbs — 427 lbs more than the Lowe RV190SC 2011 at 88 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 RV190SC 2011 has a 55-hp advantage over the Lowe Fishfinder 165 2005'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 Fishfinder 165 2005 is rated for 5 passengers, while the Lowe RV190SC 2011 caps at 4. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Lowe Fishfinder 165 2005 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Lowe Fishfinder 165 2005 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 5 passengers and at 16,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Lowe RV190SC 2011 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
ModelFishfinder 165
ModelRV190SC
Model Year2005
Model Year2011
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam71 in. (1.80 m)
Beam85.5 in. (2.17 m)
Beam - Meters1.8
Beam - Meters2.18
Beam - Inches71
Beam - Inches85.5
Depth - Detail21 in. (.53 m)
Depth - Detail19.5 in. (0.50 m)
Depth - Centimeters53.34
Depth - Centimeters50.8
Depth - Inches21
Depth - Inches19.5
Weight - Detail515 lbs. (233 kg)
Weight - Detail880 lbs. (399 kg)
Weight - kg233.6
Weight - kg399.16
Weight - lbs.515
Weight - lbs.88
Width [transom] - Detail48 in. (1.2 m)
Width [transom] - Detail60 in. (1.52 m) bottom
Height [transom]20 in. (.50 m)
Height [transom]20 in. (0.51 m)
Length - Meters4.88
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Feet16
Length - Feet18.42
Length overall - Detail16 ft. 0 in. (4.88 m)
Length overall - Detail18 ft. 5 in. (5.61 m)
Length overall - Meters4.88
Length overall - Meters5.61
Length overall - Inches192
Length overall - Inches221
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 typeOutboard
Engine max60 hp (44 kw)
Engine max115 hp (86 kW)
Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Detail20 gal
Fuel tank capacity - Litersnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Liters75.71
Fuel tank capacity - Galnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Gal2
Fuel typenot available
Fuel typeGas
Operational Info
Maximum capacity1,166 lbs. (529 kg)
Maximum capacity1,290 lbs. (585 kg)
Maximum people5
Maximum people4 / 650 lbs. (295 kg)
Trailer Info
Trailer - DetailPainted Bunk Trailer
Trailer - DetailPainted trailer with swing tongue
Trailer - Length over all20 ft. 0 in. (6.09 m)
Trailer - Length over all21 ft. 11 in. (6.7 m)