Matching a deep vee Lowe FM175 Pro SC 2012 against a modified vee Lowe R1652VT Roughneck 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 R1652VT Roughneck 2008 at 16,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Lowe R1652VT Roughneck 2008 tips the scales at 545 lbs — 432 lbs less than the Lowe FM175 Pro SC 2012 at 113 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 FM175 Pro SC 2012 has a 65-hp advantage over the Lowe R1652VT Roughneck 2008'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 FM175 Pro SC 2012 is rated for 6 passengers, while the Lowe R1652VT Roughneck 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 11 lbs per hp for the Lowe R1652VT Roughneck 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.