Matching a deep vee Lowe FM165 Pro WT 2012 against a modified vee Lowe RV190 Bay 2011 means you're likely deciding between two genuinely different on-water experiences. Hull type shapes everything from ride quality and fuel burn to dock handling and resale trajectory.

On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Lowe FM165 Pro WT 2012 at 16,4 ft versus Lowe RV190 Bay 2011 at 18,4 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Lowe FM165 Pro WT 2012 tips the scales at 955 lbs — 867 lbs more than the Lowe RV190 Bay 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 RV190 Bay 2011 has a 25-hp advantage over the Lowe FM165 Pro WT 2012's 90-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 FM165 Pro WT 2012 carries 27 gallons versus 2 gallons in the Lowe RV190 Bay 2011. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Lowe FM165 Pro WT 2012 is rated for 6 passengers, while the Lowe RV190 Bay 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 FM165 Pro WT 2012 could be the deciding factor.