The Lowe Boats Ultra 160 Cruise 2021 vs Lowe FS175 2011 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 Ultra 160 Cruise 2021 at 17,1 ft versus Lowe FS175 2011 at 17,3 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Lowe Boats Ultra 160 Cruise 2021 tips the scales at 1 605 lbs — 1 490 lbs more than the Lowe FS175 2011 at 115 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 FS175 2011 has a 65-hp advantage over the Lowe Boats Ultra 160 Cruise 2021'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 FS175 2011 carries 27 gallons versus 7 gallons in the Lowe Boats Ultra 160 Cruise 2021. 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 FS175 2011 is rated for 6 passengers, while the Lowe Boats Ultra 160 Cruise 2021 caps at 5. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Lowe FS175 2011 could be the deciding factor.
At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Lowe FS175 2011 comes in at 1 lbs per hp versus 32 lbs per hp for the Lowe Boats Ultra 160 Cruise 2021. 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 Ultra 160 Cruise 2021 is trailerable — a genuine lifestyle advantage at this size. The Lowe FS175 2011 isn't listed as trailerable, which may mean a permanent berth or mooring is required.
Bottom line: Choose the Lowe FS175 2011 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 6 passengers and at 17,3 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Lowe Boats Ultra 160 Cruise 2021 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 5 that costs less to run day-to-day.