Matching a modified vee Lowe RV170 2010 against a pontoon Lowe SS210 2012 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 RV170 2010 at 17,3 ft versus Lowe SS210 2012 at 19,7 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Lowe RV170 2010 tips the scales at 739 lbs — 571 lbs more than the Lowe SS210 2012 at 168 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 SS210 2012 has a 55-hp advantage over the Lowe RV170 2010's 60-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 SS210 2012 is rated for 12 passengers, while the Lowe RV170 2010 caps at 4. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Lowe SS210 2012 could be the deciding factor.