Matching a deep vee Lowe FS175 2011 against a modified vee Lowe Sportsman 16 2012 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 2011 at 17,3 ft versus Lowe Sportsman 16 2012 at 16,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Lowe FS175 2011 tips the scales at 115 lbs — 106 lbs more than the Lowe Sportsman 16 2012 at 9 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 FS175 2011 has a 55-hp advantage over the Lowe Sportsman 16 2012's 60-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 2011 is rated for 6 passengers, while the Lowe Sportsman 16 2012 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 2011 could be the deciding factor.

At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Lowe Sportsman 16 2012 comes in at 0 lbs per hp versus 1 lbs per hp for the Lowe FS175 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.