Matching a deep vee Lowe FS175 2012 against a pontoon Lowe GS202 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 2012 at 17,3 ft versus Lowe GS202 2012 at 17,9 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Lowe GS202 2012 tips the scales at 1 508 lbs — 1 393 lbs less than the Lowe FS175 2012 at 115 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 2012 has a 55-hp advantage over the Lowe GS202 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 2012 is rated for 960 passengers, while the Lowe GS202 2012 caps at 9. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Lowe FS175 2012 could be the deciding factor.

At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Lowe FS175 2012 comes in at 1 lbs per hp versus 25 lbs per hp for the Lowe GS202 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.