When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Lowe R1760CC 2010 and the Lowe ST160 2009 are modified vee designs with aluminum construction — the buying decision usually comes down to a handful of practical questions: how many people are you putting on the water, how far do you trailer, and what does your tow vehicle weigh?

On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Lowe R1760CC 2010 at 17,5 ft versus Lowe ST160 2009 at 16,0 ft. At 888 lbs and 865 lbs respectively, both sit in a similar weight class — either should pair comfortably with most mid-size SUVs and half-ton trucks, though always confirm your specific tow rating with the motor added.

The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 75 hp, the Lowe R1760CC 2010 has a 25-hp advantage over the Lowe ST160 2009's 50-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Lowe ST160 2009 carries 13 gallons versus 2 gallons in the Lowe R1760CC 2010. 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 R1760CC 2010 is rated for 6 passengers, while the Lowe ST160 2009 caps at 4. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Lowe R1760CC 2010 could be the deciding factor.

At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Lowe R1760CC 2010 comes in at 12 lbs per hp versus 17 lbs per hp for the Lowe ST160 2009. 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.