When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Lowe ST170 2009 and the Lowe Stryker 16 SS 2012 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 ST170 2009 at 17,0 ft versus Lowe Stryker 16 SS 2012 at 16,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Lowe ST170 2009 tips the scales at 995 lbs — 934 lbs more than the Lowe Stryker 16 SS 2012 at 61 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 75 hp, the Lowe ST170 2009 has a 25-hp advantage over the Lowe Stryker 16 SS 2012'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 Stryker 16 SS 2012 carries 6 gallons versus 2 gallons in the Lowe ST170 2009. 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 ST170 2009 is rated for 4 passengers, while the Lowe Stryker 16 SS 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 ST170 2009 could be the deciding factor.

At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Lowe Stryker 16 SS 2012 comes in at 1 lbs per hp versus 13 lbs per hp for the Lowe ST170 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.