Matching a deep vee Lowe FM165 Pro WT 2013 against a modified vee Lowe SD194 2012 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 2013 at 16,4 ft versus Lowe SD194 2012 at 18,8 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Lowe SD194 2012 tips the scales at 1 985 lbs — 1 860 lbs less than the Lowe FM165 Pro WT 2013 at 125 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 150 hp, the Lowe SD194 2012 has a 60-hp advantage over the Lowe FM165 Pro WT 2013's 90-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Both carry nearly identical fuel loads — 26 gal and 27 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Lowe SD194 2012 is rated for 10 passengers, while the Lowe FM165 Pro WT 2013 caps at 6. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Lowe SD194 2012 could be the deciding factor.