When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Lowe RV170 Bay 2011 and the Lowe RV190 Bay 2011 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 RV170 Bay 2011 at 17,3 ft versus Lowe RV190 Bay 2011 at 18,4 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Lowe RV170 Bay 2011 tips the scales at 789 lbs — 701 lbs more than the Lowe RV190 Bay 2011 at 88 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 RV190 Bay 2011 has a 40-hp advantage over the Lowe RV170 Bay 2011's 75-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Both carry nearly identical fuel loads — 2 gal and 2 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.

Both boats are rated for 4 passengers — a good fit for a family of four or five plus guests. Comfort at capacity is another matter; the longer hull typically means more seat options and better weight distribution.