Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Lowe Frontier 1650SC 2012 vs Lowe FS175 Fish & Ski 2007 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The Lowe Frontier 1650SC 2012 vs Lowe FS175 Fish & Ski 2007 comparison sits squarely in the category of decisions where specs alone won't tell the whole story — intended use, storage, and long-term ownership costs all factor in.
On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Lowe Frontier 1650SC 2012 at 16,0 ft versus Lowe FS175 Fish & Ski 2007 at 17,0 ft. At 68 lbs and 115 lbs respectively, both sit in a similar weight class — either should pair comfortably with most mid-size SUVs and half-ton trucks, though always confirm your specific tow rating with the motor added.
The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 115 hp, the Lowe FS175 Fish & Ski 2007 has a 55-hp advantage over the Lowe Frontier 1650SC 2012's 60-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 FS175 Fish & Ski 2007 is rated for 6 passengers, while the Lowe Frontier 1650SC 2012 caps at 4. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Lowe FS175 Fish & Ski 2007 could be the deciding factor.
At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Lowe FS175 Fish & Ski 2007 comes in at 1 lbs per hp versus 1 lbs per hp for the Lowe Frontier 1650SC 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 FS175 Fish & Ski 2007 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 6 passengers and at 17,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Lowe Frontier 1650SC 2012 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 4 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
ModelFrontier 1650SC
ModelFS175 Fish & Ski
Model Year2012
Model Year2007
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam74 in. (1.88 m)
Beam92 in. (2.33 m)
Beam - Meters1.88
Beam - Meters2.34
Beam - Inches74
Beam - Inches92
Depth - Detail21 in. (0.53 m)
Depth - Detailnot available
Depth - Centimeters53.34
Depth - Centimetersnot available
Depth - Inches21
Depth - Inchesnot available
Weight - Detail680 lbs. (308 kg)
Weight - Detail1,150 lbs. (522 kg)
Weight - kg308.44
Weight - kg521.63
Weight - lbs.68
Weight - lbs.115
Width [transom] - Detail50 in. (1.27 m) bottom
Width [transom] - Detail80 in. (2 m)
Height [transom]20 in. (0.5 m)
Height [transom]20 in. (.5 m)
Length - Feet16
Length - Feet17
Length overall - Detail16 ft. (4.88 m)
Length overall - Detail17 ft. 3 in. (5.53 m)
Length overall - Meters4.88
Length overall - Meters5.26
Length overall - Inches192
Length overall - Inches207
Height - Detailnot available
Height - Detail40 in. (1.01 m)
Height - Metersnot available
Height - Meters1.02
Height - Inchesnot available
Height - Inches4
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Meters5.53
Length - Inchesnot available
Length - Inches3
Body / Hull
Hull materialAluminum
Hull materialnot available
Hull thickness0.100 in. (2.54 mm)
Hull thickness.100 in. (2.5 mm)
Hull typeModified Vee
Hull typenot available
Engine and Drivetrain
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeOutboard
Engine max60 hp (45 kW)
Engine max115 hp (86 kW)
Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Detail27 gal. (102 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Litersnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Liters102.21
Fuel tank capacity - Galnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Gal27
Operational Info
Maximum capacity1,001 lbs. (454 kg)
Maximum capacity1,600 lbs. (725 kg)
Maximum people4 / 500 lbs. (227 kg)
Maximum people6
Trailer Info
Trailer - Detailnot available
Trailer - DetailLB-2600-82BL - painted bunk trailer w/ swing tongue (16.5 in.)
Trailer - Length over allnot available
Trailer - Length over allTongue in: 20 ft. 11 in. (6.4 m)
Trailer - Widthnot available
Trailer - Width102 in