Lowe Frontier 1756 2011 boat specs
Lowe
Lowe Frontier 1756 2011
2011
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VS
Lowe FS165 Fish & Ski  2007 boat specs
Lowe
Lowe FS165 Fish & Ski 2007
2007
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Lowe Frontier 1756 2011 vs Lowe FS165 Fish & Ski 2007 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Lowe Frontier 1756 2011 vs Lowe FS165 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 1756 2011 at 17,0 ft versus Lowe FS165 Fish & Ski 2007 at 16,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Lowe Frontier 1756 2011 tips the scales at 545 lbs — 544 lbs more than the Lowe FS165 Fish & Ski 2007 at 1 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 Fish & Ski 2007 has a 40-hp advantage over the Lowe Frontier 1756 2011's 50-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 Fish & Ski 2007 is rated for 6 passengers, while the Lowe Frontier 1756 2011 caps at 5. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Lowe FS165 Fish & Ski 2007 could be the deciding factor.

At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Lowe FS165 Fish & Ski 2007 comes in at 0 lbs per hp versus 11 lbs per hp for the Lowe Frontier 1756 2011. 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 Fish & Ski 2007 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 6 passengers and at 16,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Lowe Frontier 1756 2011 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 5 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
MakeLowe
MakeLowe
ModelFrontier 1756
ModelFS165 Fish & Ski
Model Year2011
Model Year2007
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam80 in. (2.03 m)
Beam82 in. (2.08 m)
Beam - Meters2.03
Beam - Meters2.08
Beam - Inches8
Beam - Inches82
Depth - Detail23 in. (0.58 m)
Depth - Detailnot available
Depth - Centimeters58.42
Depth - Centimetersnot available
Depth - Inches23
Depth - Inchesnot available
Weight - Detail545 lbs. (247 kg)
Weight - Detail1,000 lbs. (453 kg)
Weight - kg247.21
Weight - kg453.59
Weight - lbs.545
Weight - lbs.1
Width [transom] - Detail56 in. (1.42 m) bottom
Width [transom] - Detail71 in. (1.8 m)
Height [transom]20 in. (0.51 m)
Height [transom]20 in. (.53 m)
Length - Feet17
Length - Feet16
Length overall - Detail17 ft. (5.18 m)
Length overall - Detail16 ft. 5 in. (5 m)
Length overall - Meters5.18
Length overall - Meters5
Length overall - Inches204
Length overall - Inches197
Height - Detailnot available
Height - Detail38 in. (.97 m)
Height - Metersnot available
Height - Meters0.97
Height - Inchesnot available
Height - Inches38
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Meters5
Length - Inchesnot available
Length - Inches5
Body / Hull
Hull materialAluminum
Hull materialnot available
Hull thickness0.100 in. (2.5 mm)
Hull thickness.100 in. (2.5 mm)
Hull typeModified Vee
Hull typenot available
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typeGas
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeOutboard
Engine max50 hp (37 kW)
Engine max90 hp (67 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 capacity1,151 lbs. (522 kg)
Maximum capacity1,497 lbs. (679 kg)
Maximum people5 / 650 lbs. (295 kg)
Maximum people6
Trailer Info
Trailer - Detailnot available
Trailer - DetailLB-2200-70BL - painted bunk trailer w/ swing tongue (16.5 in.)
Trailer - Length over allnot available
Trailer - Length over allTongue in: 20 ft. 8 in. (6.3 m)
Trailer - Widthnot available
Trailer - Width89 in

Lowe Frontier 1756 2011 vs Lowe FS165 Fish & Ski 2007 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Lowe Frontier 1756 2011 or the Lowe FS165 Fish & Ski 2007?
The Lowe Frontier 1756 2011 is the longer of the two at 17,0 feet overall. The Lowe FS165 Fish & Ski 2007 comes in at 16,0 feet, making it roughly 1,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.
Which is easier to trailer — the Lowe Frontier 1756 2011 or the Lowe FS165 Fish & Ski 2007?
For trailering, the Lowe FS165 Fish & Ski 2007 has the edge at 1 lbs dry weight versus 545 lbs for the Lowe Frontier 1756 2011. Add a motor (typically 300–500 lbs for an outboard in this class), gear, and a partial fuel load and the difference grows. Lighter is friendlier on smaller tow vehicles and on fuel economy while hauling.
Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?
The Lowe FS165 Fish & Ski 2007 is rated to a maximum of 90 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Lowe Frontier 1756 2011 tops out at 50 hp. Keep in mind that maximum ratings are just that — matching the motor to the actual load and usage pattern usually matters more than chasing the ceiling.
How many people can each boat hold?
The Lowe Frontier 1756 2011 is Coast Guard rated for 5 passengers, while the Lowe FS165 Fish & Ski 2007 is certified for 6. Note that legal capacity and comfortable capacity aren't always the same thing — on a full day out, most experienced boaters aim for about 80% of the rated number to keep things comfortable.
Which boat has the better power-to-weight ratio?
The Lowe FS165 Fish & Ski 2007 has a better power-to-weight ratio at 0 lbs per hp compared to 11 lbs per hp for the Lowe Frontier 1756 2011. A lower number means quicker acceleration and faster time to plane — the number that actually matters most on short, sporty boats like these.
Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?
The Lowe FS165 Fish & Ski 2007 measures 82" wide, compared to 8" for the Lowe Frontier 1756 2011. The US standard-width towing limit is 8’6" (102") in most states — anything over that may need a wide-load permit. Confirm your specific route requirements with each state's DOT.
Are the Lowe Frontier 1756 2011 and Lowe FS165 Fish & Ski 2007 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Lowe Frontier 1756 2011 and the Lowe FS165 Fish & Ski 2007 are built by Lowe. That means shared dealer networks, common parts availability, and consistent build quality across the line. The choice between them is essentially a question of how much boat you need, not which brand you trust.