When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Lowe Frontier 1650 2011 and the Lowe ST170 2009 are modified vee designs with aluminum construction — the buying decision usually comes down to a handful of practical questions: how many people are you putting on the water, how far do you trailer, and what does your tow vehicle weigh?

On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Lowe Frontier 1650 2011 at 16,0 ft versus Lowe ST170 2009 at 17,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Lowe ST170 2009 tips the scales at 995 lbs — 949 lbs less than the Lowe Frontier 1650 2011 at 46 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 75 hp, the Lowe ST170 2009 has a 35-hp advantage over the Lowe Frontier 1650 2011's 40-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load.

Both boats are rated for 4 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 Frontier 1650 2011 comes in at 1 lbs per hp versus 13 lbs per hp for the Lowe ST170 2009. 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.