Matching a modified vee Lowe Frontier 1546 2013 against a deep vee Lowe FS165 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 Frontier 1546 2013 at 15,1 ft versus Lowe FS165 2012 at 16,4 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Lowe FS165 2012 tips the scales at 955 lbs — 926 lbs less than the Lowe Frontier 1546 2013 at 29 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 90 hp, the Lowe FS165 2012 has a 65-hp advantage over the Lowe Frontier 1546 2013's 25-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 FS165 2012 is rated for 6 passengers, while the Lowe Frontier 1546 2013 caps at 4. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Lowe FS165 2012 could be the deciding factor.
At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Lowe Frontier 1546 2013 comes in at 1 lbs per hp versus 11 lbs per hp for the Lowe FS165 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.
Bottom line: Choose the Lowe FS165 2012 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 6 passengers and at 16,4 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Lowe Frontier 1546 2013 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 4 that costs less to run day-to-day.