Lowe Frontier 1756 2012 boat specs
Lowe
Lowe Frontier 1756 2012
2012
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VS
Lowe R2070VPT Roughneck 2007 boat specs
Lowe
Lowe R2070VPT Roughneck 2007
2007
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Lowe Frontier 1756 2012 vs Lowe R2070VPT Roughneck 2007 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Lowe Frontier 1756 2012 vs Lowe R2070VPT Roughneck 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.

Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Lowe Frontier 1756 2012 measures 16,8 feet overall (2012), giving it roughly 14,8 additional feet of deck space compared to the Lowe R2070VPT Roughneck 2007 at 2,0 feet (2007). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Lowe R2070VPT Roughneck 2007 tips the scales at 997 lbs — 452 lbs less than the Lowe Frontier 1756 2012 at 545 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 115 hp, the Lowe R2070VPT Roughneck 2007 has a 65-hp advantage over the Lowe Frontier 1756 2012'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 R2070VPT Roughneck 2007 is rated for 8 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 R2070VPT Roughneck 2007 could be the deciding factor.

At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Lowe R2070VPT Roughneck 2007 comes in at 9 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 R2070VPT Roughneck 2007 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 8 passengers and at 2,0 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
ModelR2070VPT Roughneck
Model Year2012
Model Year2007
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam80 in. (2.03 m)
Beam96 in. (2.43 m)
Beam - Meters2.03
Beam - Meters2.44
Beam - Inches8
Beam - Inches96
Depth - Detail23 in. (0.58 m)
Depth - Detail25 in. (.63 m)
Depth - Centimeters58.42
Depth - Centimeters63.5
Depth - Inches23
Depth - Inches25
Weight - Detail545 lbs. (247 kg)
Weight - Detail997 lbs. (452 kg)
Weight - kg247.21
Weight - kg452.23
Weight - lbs.545
Weight - lbs.997
Width [transom] - Detail56 in. (1.42 m) bottom
Width [transom] - Detail70 in. (1.7 m)
Height [transom]20 in. (0.5 m)
Height [transom]20 in. (.5 m)
Length - Feet16.83
Length - Feet2
Length overall - Detail16 ft. 10 in. (5.13 m)
Length overall - Detail20 ft. 6 in. (6.24 m)
Length overall - Meters5.13
Length overall - Meters6.25
Length overall - Inches202
Length overall - Inches246
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Meters6.24
Length - Inchesnot available
Length - Inches6
Body / Hull
Hull materialAluminum
Hull materialnot available
Hull thickness0.100 in. (2.54 mm)
Hull thickness.100 in. (.25 cm)
Hull typeModified Vee
Hull typenot available
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typeGas
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeOutboard
Engine max50 hp (37 kW)
Engine max115 hp (85 kW)
Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Detail21 gal
Fuel tank capacity - Litersnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Liters79.49
Fuel tank capacity - Galnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Gal21
Operational Info
Maximum capacity1,151 lbs. (522 kg)
Maximum capacity1,700 lbs. (771 kg)
Maximum people5 / 650 lbs. (295 kg)
Maximum people8

Lowe Frontier 1756 2012 vs Lowe R2070VPT Roughneck 2007 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Lowe Frontier 1756 2012 or the Lowe R2070VPT Roughneck 2007?
The Lowe Frontier 1756 2012 is the longer of the two at 16,8 feet overall. The Lowe R2070VPT Roughneck 2007 comes in at 2,0 feet, making it roughly 14,8 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 R2070VPT Roughneck 2007?
For trailering, the Lowe Frontier 1756 2012 has the edge at 545 lbs dry weight versus 997 lbs for the Lowe R2070VPT Roughneck 2007. 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 R2070VPT Roughneck 2007 is rated to a maximum of 115 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 R2070VPT Roughneck 2007 is certified for 8. 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 R2070VPT Roughneck 2007 has a better power-to-weight ratio at 9 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 R2070VPT Roughneck 2007 measures 96" 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 R2070VPT Roughneck 2007 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Lowe Frontier 1756 2012 and the Lowe R2070VPT Roughneck 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.