Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Lowe FM175 Pro SC 2012 vs Lowe L1652MT Jon Boat 2008 — Same Brand, Different Boat
Matching a deep vee Lowe FM175 Pro SC 2012 against a modified vee Lowe L1652MT Jon Boat 2008 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 FM175 Pro SC 2012 at 17,4 ft versus Lowe L1652MT Jon Boat 2008 at 15,0 ft. At 113 lbs and 45 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 115 hp, the Lowe FM175 Pro SC 2012 has a 80-hp advantage over the Lowe L1652MT Jon Boat 2008's 35-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 FM175 Pro SC 2012 is rated for 6 passengers, while the Lowe L1652MT Jon Boat 2008 caps at 5. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Lowe FM175 Pro SC 2012 could be the deciding factor.
At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Lowe FM175 Pro SC 2012 comes in at 1 lbs per hp versus 1 lbs per hp for the Lowe L1652MT Jon Boat 2008. 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 FM175 Pro SC 2012 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 6 passengers and at 17,4 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Lowe L1652MT Jon Boat 2008 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 5 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
ModelFM175 Pro SC
ModelL1652MT Jon Boat
Model Year2012
Model Year2008
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam92 in. (2.34 m)
Beam75 in. (1.9 m)
Beam - Meters2.34
Beam - Meters1.91
Beam - Inches92
Beam - Inches75
Weight - Detail1,130 lbs. (513 kg)
Weight - Detail450 lbs. (204 kg)
Weight - kg512.56
Weight - kg204.12
Weight - lbs.113
Weight - lbs.45
Width [transom] - Detail80 in. (2.03 m) bottom
Width [transom] - Detail52 in. (1.32 m)
Height - Detail40 in. (1.02 m) bow
Height - Detailnot available
Height - Meters1.02
Height - Metersnot available
Height - Inches4
Height - Inchesnot available
Height [transom]25 in. (0.64 m)
Height [transom]20 in. (.5 m)
Length - Feet17.42
Length - Feet15
Length overall - Detail17 ft. 5 in. (5.31 m)
Length overall - Detail15 ft. 10 in. (4.82 m)
Length overall - Meters5.31
Length overall - Meters4.83
Length overall - Inches209
Length overall - Inches19
Depth - Detailnot available
Depth - Detail21 in. (.53 m)
Depth - Centimetersnot available
Depth - Centimeters53.34
Depth - Inchesnot available
Depth - Inches21
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Meters4.82
Length - Inchesnot available
Length - Inches1
Body / Hull
Hull materialAluminum
Hull materialAluminum
Hull thickness0.100 in. (2.5 mm)
Hull thickness.072 in. (1.83 mm)
Hull typeDeep Vee
Hull typeModified Vee
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail27 gal. (102 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Liters102.21
Fuel tank capacity - Litersnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Gal27
Fuel tank capacity - Galnot available
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeOutboard
Engine max115 hp (86 kW) 9.9 hp (7.4 kW) Kicker motor
Engine maxTiller: 35 hp (26 kW) Remote: 50 hp (37 kW)
Operational Info
Maximum capacity1,600 lbs. (726 kg)
Maximum capacity1,216 lbs. (551 kg)
Maximum people6 / 960 lbs. (435 kg)
Maximum people5 / 715 lbs. (324 kg)
Trailer Info
Trailer - Width102 in. (2.59 m)
Trailer - Widthnot available