When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Lowe FM165T 2011 and the Lowe FM175 Pro SC 2013 are deep vee designs with aluminum construction — the buying decision usually comes down to a handful of practical questions: how many people are you putting on the water, how far do you trailer, and what does your tow vehicle weigh?

On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Lowe FM165T 2011 at 16,4 ft versus Lowe FM175 Pro SC 2013 at 17,4 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Lowe FM175 Pro SC 2013 tips the scales at 1 396 lbs — 441 lbs less than the Lowe FM165T 2011 at 955 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 FM175 Pro SC 2013 has a 100-hp advantage over the Lowe FM165T 2011's 50-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 FM175 Pro SC 2013 carries 27 gallons versus 6 gallons in the Lowe FM165T 2011. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.

Both boats are rated for 6 passengers — a good fit for a family of four or five plus guests. Comfort at capacity is another matter; the longer hull typically means more seat options and better weight distribution.

At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Lowe FM175 Pro SC 2013 comes in at 9 lbs per hp versus 19 lbs per hp for the Lowe FM165T 2011. 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.