The Lowe Fishfinder 170SE 2005 vs Lowe Frontier 1860 Tunnel Jet 2013 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 170SE 2005 at 17,0 ft versus Lowe Frontier 1860 Tunnel Jet 2013 at 18,0 ft. At 63 lbs and 95 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 90 hp, the Lowe Frontier 1860 Tunnel Jet 2013 has a 40-hp advantage over the Lowe Fishfinder 170SE 2005'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 Frontier 1860 Tunnel Jet 2013 is rated for 7 passengers, while the Lowe Fishfinder 170SE 2005 caps at 5. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Lowe Frontier 1860 Tunnel Jet 2013 could be the deciding factor.
At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Lowe Frontier 1860 Tunnel Jet 2013 comes in at 1 lbs per hp versus 1 lbs per hp for the Lowe Fishfinder 170SE 2005. 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 Frontier 1860 Tunnel Jet 2013 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 7 passengers and at 18,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Lowe Fishfinder 170SE 2005 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 5 that costs less to run day-to-day.