Matching a deep vee Lowe FS175 2013 against a modified vee Lowe Sportsman 18 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 2013 at 17,4 ft versus Lowe Sportsman 18 2011 at 18,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Lowe FS175 2013 tips the scales at 1 446 lbs — 488 lbs more than the Lowe Sportsman 18 2011 at 958 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 150 hp, the Lowe FS175 2013 has a 60-hp advantage over the Lowe Sportsman 18 2011's 90-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Both carry nearly identical fuel loads — 26 gal and 24 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Lowe FS175 2013 is rated for 6 passengers, while the Lowe Sportsman 18 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 2013 could be the deciding factor.

At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Lowe FS175 2013 comes in at 10 lbs per hp versus 11 lbs per hp for the Lowe Sportsman 18 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.