The Lowe Boats LS 170 2022 vs Lowe Skorpion 2012 comparison sits squarely in the category of decisions where specs alone won't tell the whole story — intended use, storage, and long-term ownership costs all factor in.
On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Lowe Boats LS 170 2022 at 17,1 ft versus Lowe Skorpion 2012 at 16,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Lowe Boats LS 170 2022 tips the scales at 1 713 lbs — 1 048 lbs more than the Lowe Skorpion 2012 at 665 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.
Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling — 60 hp for the Lowe Boats LS 170 2022 and 50 hp for the Lowe Skorpion 2012. Real-world performance will come down more to which motor is actually bolted on, its load at the time, and whether it's a 4-stroke or 2-stroke setup. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Lowe Boats LS 170 2022 carries 24 gallons versus 6 gallons in the Lowe Skorpion 2012. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Lowe Boats LS 170 2022 is rated for 5 passengers, while the Lowe Skorpion 2012 caps at 3. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Lowe Boats LS 170 2022 could be the deciding factor.
At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Lowe Skorpion 2012 comes in at 13 lbs per hp versus 29 lbs per hp for the Lowe Boats LS 170 2022. 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.
The Lowe Boats LS 170 2022 is trailerable — a genuine lifestyle advantage at this size. The Lowe Skorpion 2012 isn't listed as trailerable, which may mean a permanent berth or mooring is required.
Bottom line: Choose the Lowe Boats LS 170 2022 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 5 passengers and at 17,1 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Lowe Skorpion 2012 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 3 that costs less to run day-to-day.