Matching a deep vee Lowe FM185DC 2009 against a modified vee Lowe Frontier 2070SC 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.

Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Lowe FM185DC 2009 measures 18,0 feet overall (2009), giving it roughly 16,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Lowe Frontier 2070SC 2012 at 2,0 feet (2012). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Lowe Frontier 2070SC 2012 tips the scales at 1 125 lbs — 1 004 lbs less than the Lowe FM185DC 2009 at 121 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 FM185DC 2009 has a 35-hp advantage over the Lowe Frontier 2070SC 2012's 115-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load.

Both boats are rated for 7 passengers — a good fit for a family of four or five plus guests. Comfort at capacity is another matter; the longer hull typically means more seat options and better weight distribution.

At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Lowe FM185DC 2009 comes in at 1 lbs per hp versus 10 lbs per hp for the Lowe Frontier 2070SC 2012. 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.