Matching a deep vee Lowe FM175 Pro SC 2013 against a modified vee Lowe R1760MT 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 2013 at 17,4 ft versus Lowe R1760MT Roughneck 2008 at 17,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Lowe FM175 Pro SC 2013 tips the scales at 1 396 lbs — 791 lbs more than the Lowe R1760MT Roughneck 2008 at 605 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 85-hp advantage over the Lowe R1760MT Roughneck 2008's 65-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 R1760MT Roughneck 2008 is rated for 7 passengers, while the Lowe FM175 Pro SC 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 R1760MT Roughneck 2008 could be the deciding factor.

At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Lowe R1760MT Roughneck 2008 comes in at 9 lbs per hp versus 9 lbs per hp for the Lowe FM175 Pro SC 2013. 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.