Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Lowe FM175 2009 vs Lowe Frontier 2070 SC 2013 — Same Brand, Different Boat
Matching a deep vee Lowe FM175 2009 against a modified vee Lowe Frontier 2070 SC 2013 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.
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Lowe FM175 2009 measures 17,0 feet overall (2009), giving it roughly 15,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Lowe Frontier 2070 SC 2013 at 2,0 feet (2013). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Lowe Frontier 2070 SC 2013 tips the scales at 1 125 lbs — 1 012 lbs less than the Lowe FM175 2009 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.
Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling — 115 hp for the Lowe FM175 2009 and 115 hp for the Lowe Frontier 2070 SC 2013. Real-world performance will come down more to which motor is actually bolted on, its load at the time, and whether it's a 4-stroke or 2-stroke setup.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Lowe Frontier 2070 SC 2013 is rated for 7 passengers, while the Lowe FM175 2009 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 2070 SC 2013 could be the deciding factor.
At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Lowe FM175 2009 comes in at 1 lbs per hp versus 10 lbs per hp for the Lowe Frontier 2070 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.
Bottom line: Choose the Lowe Frontier 2070 SC 2013 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 7 passengers and at 2,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Lowe FM175 2009 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 6 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
ModelFM175
ModelFrontier 2070 SC
Model Year2009
Model Year2013
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam92 in. (2.33 m)
Beam96 in. (2.44 m)
Beam - Meters2.34
Beam - Meters2.44
Beam - Inches92
Beam - Inches96
Weight - Detail1,130 lbs. (512 kg)
Weight - Detail1,125 lbs. (510 kg)
Weight - kg512.56
Weight - kg510.29
Weight - lbs.113
Weight - lbs.1125
Height [transom]20 in. (0.5 m)
Height [transom]20 in. (0.5 m)
Length - Meters5.25
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Feet17
Length - Feet2
Length - Inches3
Length - Inchesnot available
Length overall - Detail17 ft. 3 in. (5.25 m)
Length overall - Detail20 ft. (6.1 m)
Length overall - Meters5.26
Length overall - Meters6.1
Length overall - Inches207
Length overall - Inches24
Depth - Detailnot available
Depth - Detail24 in. (0.61 m)
Depth - Centimetersnot available
Depth - Centimeters60.96
Depth - Inchesnot available
Depth - Inches24
Width [transom] - Detailnot available
Width [transom] - Detail70 in. (1.78 m) bottom
Body / Hull
Hull materialAluminum
Hull materialAluminum
Hull thickness0.100 in. (2.5 mm)
Hull thickness0.100 in. (2.54 mm)
Hull typeDeep Vee
Hull typeModified Vee
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine/s standardMercury 90 hp 2-stroke
Engine/s standardnot available
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
Engine max115 hp (86 kw)
Engine max115 hp (86 kW)
Drive typenot available
Drive typeOutboard
Operational Info
Maximum capacity1,600 lbs. (726 kg)
Maximum capacity1,840 lbs. (834 kg)
Maximum people6 / 960 lbs. (435 kg)
Maximum people7 / 1,100 lbs. (499 kg)
Trailer Info
Trailer - DetailPainted bunk trailer with swing tongue
Trailer - Detailnot available
Trailer - Length over all20 ft. 11 in. (6.4 m) with tongue in
Trailer - Length over allnot available
Trailer - Width102 in. (2.59 m)
Trailer - Widthnot available