Lowe FS175 2009 vs Lowe RV190 2011 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Lowe FS175 2009 or the Lowe RV190 2011?

The Lowe RV190 2011 is the longer of the two at 18,4 feet overall. The Lowe FS175 2009 comes in at 17,0 feet, making it roughly 1,4 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Lowe FS175 2009 or the Lowe RV190 2011?

For trailering, the Lowe RV190 2011 has the edge at 83 lbs dry weight versus 115 lbs for the Lowe FS175 2009. 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.

Q: Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Lowe FS175 2009 is rated to a maximum of 115 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Lowe RV190 2011 tops out at 75 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.

Q: How many people can each boat hold?

The Lowe FS175 2009 is Coast Guard rated for 6 passengers, while the Lowe RV190 2011 is certified for 4. 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.

Q: Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Lowe FS175 2009 measures 92" wide, compared to 86" for the Lowe RV190 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.

Q: Are the Lowe FS175 2009 and Lowe RV190 2011 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Lowe FS175 2009 and the Lowe RV190 2011 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.

Boat Comparison

Lowe FS175 2009 vs Lowe RV190 2011

Lowe

Lowe FS175 2009

2009

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Lowe

Lowe RV190 2011

2011

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Lowe FS175 2009 vs Lowe RV190 2011 — Same Brand, Different Boat

Matching a deep vee Lowe FS175 2009 against a modified vee Lowe RV190 2011 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 FS175 2009 at 17,0 ft versus Lowe RV190 2011 at 18,4 ft. At 115 lbs and 83 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 2009 has a 40-hp advantage over the Lowe RV190 2011's 75-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 2009 is rated for 6 passengers, while the Lowe RV190 2011 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 2009 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Lowe FS175 2009 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 RV190 2011 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

MakeLowe

ModelFS175

ModelRV19

Model Year2009

Model Year2011

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam92 in. (2.34 m)

Beam85.5 in. (2.17 m)

Beam - Meters2.34

Beam - Meters2.18

Beam - Inches92

Beam - Inches85.5

Weight - Detail1,150 lbs. (522 kg)

Weight - Detail830 lbs. (376 kg)

Weight - kg521.63

Weight - kg376.48

Weight - lbs.115

Weight - lbs.83

Height [transom]20 in. (0.5 m)

Height [transom]20 in. (0.51 m)

Length - Meters5.26

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Feet17

Length - Feet18.42

Length - Inches3

Length - Inchesnot available

Length overall - Detail17 ft. 3 in. (5.26 m)

Length overall - Detail18 ft. 5 in. (5.61 m)

Length overall - Meters5.26

Length overall - Meters5.61

Length overall - Inches207

Length overall - Inches221

Depth - Detailnot available

Depth - Detail19.5 in. (0.50 m)

Depth - Centimetersnot available

Depth - Centimeters50.8

Depth - Inchesnot available

Depth - Inches19.5

Width [transom] - Detailnot available

Width [transom] - Detail60 in. (1.52 m) bottom

Body / Hull

Hull materialAluminum

Hull thickness0.100 in. (2.5 mm)

Hull typeDeep Vee

Hull typeModified Vee

Engine and Drivetrain

Engine/s standardMercury 90 hp 2-stroke

Engine/s standardnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Detail27 gal. (102 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Liters102.21

Fuel tank capacity - Litersnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Gal27

Fuel tank capacity - Galnot available

Fuel typeGas

Engine max115 hp (86 kw)

Engine max75 hp (56 kW)

Drive typenot available

Drive typeOutboard

Operational Info

Maximum capacity1,600 lbs. (725 kg)

Maximum capacity1,290 lbs. (581 kg)

Maximum people6 / 960 lbs. (435 kg)

Maximum people4 / 650 lbs. (295 kg)

Trailer Info

Trailer - DetailPainted bunk trailer with swing tongue

Trailer - Detailnot available

Trailer - Length over all20 ft. 11 in. (6.4 m)

Trailer - Length over all21 ft. 11 in. (6.7 m)

Trailer - Width102 in. (2.59 m)

Trailer - Widthnot available

Lowe FS175 2009 vs Lowe RV190 2011 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Lowe FS175 2009 or the Lowe RV190 2011?

The Lowe RV190 2011 is the longer of the two at 18,4 feet overall. The Lowe FS175 2009 comes in at 17,0 feet, making it roughly 1,4 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which is easier to trailer — the Lowe FS175 2009 or the Lowe RV190 2011?

For trailering, the Lowe RV190 2011 has the edge at 83 lbs dry weight versus 115 lbs for the Lowe FS175 2009. 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 FS175 2009 is rated to a maximum of 115 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Lowe RV190 2011 tops out at 75 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 FS175 2009 is Coast Guard rated for 6 passengers, while the Lowe RV190 2011 is certified for 4. 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 is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Lowe FS175 2009 measures 92" wide, compared to 86" for the Lowe RV190 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 FS175 2009 and Lowe RV190 2011 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Lowe FS175 2009 and the Lowe RV190 2011 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.

← Lowe FS175 2009 full specs ← Lowe RV190 2011 full specs