Matching a deep vee Lowe FM175 Pro WT 2013 against a tunnel Lowe Frontier 1860 Tunnel Jet 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 FM175 Pro WT 2013 at 17,4 ft versus Lowe Frontier 1860 Tunnel Jet 2012 at 18,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Lowe FM175 Pro WT 2013 tips the scales at 1 446 lbs — 1 351 lbs more than the Lowe Frontier 1860 Tunnel Jet 2012 at 95 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 WT 2013 has a 60-hp advantage over the Lowe Frontier 1860 Tunnel Jet 2012's 90-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 WT 2013 carries 26 gallons versus 19 gallons in the Lowe Frontier 1860 Tunnel Jet 2012. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Lowe Frontier 1860 Tunnel Jet 2012 is rated for 7 passengers, while the Lowe FM175 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 Frontier 1860 Tunnel Jet 2012 could be the deciding factor.

At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Lowe Frontier 1860 Tunnel Jet 2012 comes in at 1 lbs per hp versus 10 lbs per hp for the Lowe FM175 Pro WT 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.