Matching a flat Lowe L1648MT 2013 against a modified vee Lowe R1965SC 2009 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 L1648MT 2013 at 16,0 ft versus Lowe R1965SC 2009 at 19,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Lowe L1648MT 2013 tips the scales at 275 lbs — 164 lbs more than the Lowe R1965SC 2009 at 111 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 R1965SC 2009 has a 80-hp advantage over the Lowe L1648MT 2013's 35-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 R1965SC 2009 is rated for 8 passengers, while the Lowe L1648MT 2013 caps at 4. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Lowe R1965SC 2009 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Lowe R1965SC 2009 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 8 passengers and at 19,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Lowe L1648MT 2013 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 4 that costs less to run day-to-day.