When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Lowe Frontier 2070SC 2012 and the Lowe ST195 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?

Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Lowe ST195 2009 measures 18,0 feet overall (2009), giving it roughly 16,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Lowe Frontier 2070SC 2012 at 2,0 feet (2012). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Lowe Frontier 2070SC 2012 tips the scales at 1 125 lbs — 1 019 lbs more than the Lowe ST195 2009 at 106 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.

Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling — 115 hp for the Lowe Frontier 2070SC 2012 and 115 hp for the Lowe ST195 2009. 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 Frontier 2070SC 2012 is rated for 7 passengers, while the Lowe ST195 2009 caps at 5. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Lowe Frontier 2070SC 2012 could be the deciding factor.

At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Lowe ST195 2009 comes in at 1 lbs per hp versus 10 lbs per hp for the Lowe Frontier 2070SC 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.