Lowe Frontier 1756 2012 boat specs
Lowe
Lowe Frontier 1756 2012
2012
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VS
Lowe L1852MT 2010 boat specs
Lowe
Lowe L1852MT 2010
2010
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Lowe Frontier 1756 2012 vs Lowe L1852MT 2010 — Same Brand, Different Boat

Matching a modified vee Lowe Frontier 1756 2012 against a flat Lowe L1852MT 2010 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 1756 2012 at 16,8 ft versus Lowe L1852MT 2010 at 18,0 ft. At 545 lbs and 475 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.

Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling — 50 hp for the Lowe Frontier 1756 2012 and 65 hp for the Lowe L1852MT 2010. Real-world performance will come down more to which motor is actually bolted on, its load at the time, and whether it's a 4-stroke or 2-stroke setup.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Lowe L1852MT 2010 is rated for 6 passengers, while the Lowe Frontier 1756 2012 caps at 5. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Lowe L1852MT 2010 could be the deciding factor.

At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Lowe L1852MT 2010 comes in at 7 lbs per hp versus 11 lbs per hp for the Lowe Frontier 1756 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 L1852MT 2010 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 6 passengers and at 18,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Lowe Frontier 1756 2012 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
ModelL1852MT
Model Year2012
Model Year201
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam80 in. (2.03 m)
Beam75 in. (1.91 m)
Beam - Meters2.03
Beam - Meters1.91
Beam - Inches8
Beam - Inches75
Depth - Detail23 in. (0.58 m)
Depth - Detail21 in. (0.53 m)
Depth - Centimeters58.42
Depth - Centimeters53.34
Depth - Inches23
Depth - Inches21
Weight - Detail545 lbs. (247 kg)
Weight - Detail475 lbs. (215 kg)
Weight - kg247.21
Weight - kg215.46
Weight - lbs.545
Weight - lbs.475
Width [transom] - Detail56 in. (1.42 m) bottom
Width [transom] - DetailBottom Width: 52 in. (1.32 m)
Height [transom]20 in. (0.5 m)
Height [transom]20 in. (0.5 m)
Length - Feet16.83
Length - Feet18
Length overall - Detail16 ft. 10 in. (5.13 m)
Length overall - Detail18 ft. (5.48 m)
Length overall - Meters5.13
Length overall - Meters5.49
Length overall - Inches202
Length overall - Inches216
Body / Hull
Hull materialAluminum
Hull materialAluminum
Hull thickness0.100 in. (2.54 mm)
Hull thickness0.072 in. (1.83 mm)
Hull typeModified Vee
Hull typeFlat
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typeGas
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typenot available
Engine max50 hp (37 kW)
Engine maxRemote: 65 hp (48 kW) Tiller: 45 hp (34 kW)
Operational Info
Maximum capacity1,151 lbs. (522 kg)
Maximum capacity1,375 lbs. (624 kg)
Maximum people5 / 650 lbs. (295 kg)
Maximum people6 / 815 lbs. (370 kg)
Trailer Info
Trailer - Length over allnot available
Trailer - Length over all22 ft. (6.71 m) (trailer optional)

Lowe Frontier 1756 2012 vs Lowe L1852MT 2010 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Lowe Frontier 1756 2012 or the Lowe L1852MT 2010?
The Lowe L1852MT 2010 is the longer of the two at 18,0 feet overall. The Lowe Frontier 1756 2012 comes in at 16,8 feet, making it roughly 1,2 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.
Which is easier to trailer — the Lowe Frontier 1756 2012 or the Lowe L1852MT 2010?
For trailering, the Lowe L1852MT 2010 has the edge at 475 lbs dry weight versus 545 lbs for the Lowe Frontier 1756 2012. 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 L1852MT 2010 is rated to a maximum of 65 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Lowe Frontier 1756 2012 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 2012 is Coast Guard rated for 5 passengers, while the Lowe L1852MT 2010 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 L1852MT 2010 has a better power-to-weight ratio at 7 lbs per hp compared to 11 lbs per hp for the Lowe Frontier 1756 2012. 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 L1852MT 2010 measures 75" wide, compared to 8" for the Lowe Frontier 1756 2012. 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 2012 and Lowe L1852MT 2010 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Lowe Frontier 1756 2012 and the Lowe L1852MT 2010 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.