Lowe fish and ski 175 how is it ??????

[timfrommt]

Hi,
I am thinking of purchasing a New Lowe Fish and Ski 175 and I am not able to see it in person due to the dealer is about 300 miles away. So I have a few questions that are some concern. Please help..
1. with the optional bow pads and rails is their enough room for someone to ride in the front of the boat when traveling ?

2. How does it ride in rough water and also when you stand up in the boat is the hull big enough in rough water to not fall off (We have alot of wind in Montana and the water really gets rough)

3. I believe their is 3 pedastal seats that come with the boat is their a place in the main deck to set the 3rd seat so it is the same hieght as the other seats ? (I know you can set it higher in the back for fishing but I am wondering if their is room to set it on the main deck?) also if 2 adults are in the drivers seat and passager seat is their enough room for someone in the pedastal seat behing ?

4. Last question, I am thinking about going with a Mercury 4 stroke 90 hp efi, does it have enough power for pulling tubers ?????

Sorry about all the questions but please help .... Thanks, Tim

 

[happyfishrman]

Re: Lowe fish and ski 175 how is it ??????

I am a very happy owner of a 2006 Lowe 175 Fish and Ski! It is equipped with a 90 horse Mercury Optimax. It has handled everything I have asked of it, including salmon trips on Lake Michigan and walleye trips on Lake Erie. Take two young daughters w/ me, very safe, deep-v. We tube with it on a local lake with no problems. I carry a GPS unit with me and have had it in rough waters, it handles very well. The Mercury Optimax is a dream to run. It satisfies our family needs and my fishing needs with ease. I highly recommend this boat. I did hours and hours of research, via Internet/ boat shows/ catalogs etc. This Lowe can not be beat. Quality construction throughout. Very solid, stable ride.

 

[jheron]

Re: Lowe fish and ski 175 how is it ??????

We own an 2003 175 FM and it handles excellent in big water, we use it primarily in Lake Huron for salmon fishing and it handles like a dream in the swells... We love our Lowe!
I do have huge complaints about the finishing of the boat however. It looks like prisoners put it all together on a Friday before they were to be released
The steering wheel was only held in with 2 bolts instead of three and they were loose, the stereo worked intermittently until I found where the speaker wire had a screw through it, The gas gauge didn't work (fixed on warranty but you have to return the boat to the dealer for a week, they wont let you put the new part in yourself), a 12 year old could have come up with a better wiring scheme and the fuse panel was rite out of a fisher price toy!! Also the camper top and bow cover are horribly fitted.

I have now rewired the boat and put in a new fuse panel and other fix ups and have the best Lowe out there IMO
The dealers at the boat show who listened to my wining last year assured me that there manufacturing problems had been worked out, but be sure to look under the console and in the bilge for signs of butchery
Also go for the lightest motor you can as the stern does sit low on the water when in following seas, I know a guy with the same boat as me with the 4 stroke 90 on the back and he had to put lexan splash guards on the back to keep the water out. I have a 1976 tower of power on the back of mine without the need for the splash guard.

regards Jon

 

[irv64]

Re: Lowe fish and ski 175 how is it ??????

I purchased a 2006 16.5 F&S this past summer with an 07 90Hp Mercury 4 stroke. It has been a great boat so far and myself and my family love the boat! We got it pretty much loaded as this one was the only one left. It came with the swim ladder/platform, ski-tripod, bow cushions and combing pads, bow hand rails, the complete bimini top with side curtains, am/fm/cd/sirius satelite radio, etc. I was considering a 17.5 but when we measured the beam it was almost 10"s wider compared to our old 16.5 boat so I opted for the 16.5 instead, it has plenty of room for the 3 of us plus passengers so we are happy with our decision. The boat is well made IMO, very strong and solid and cuts the waves beautifully compared to my older Smokercraft Magnum that I traded in. I can get 47mph on the speedo which is plenty quick enough for me! We are totally happy with the boat so far, it was relatively inexpensive compared to some other boats we looked at and I believe we got more boat for less money. So far so good, I would recommend Lowe boats to anyone........Irv64

 

[diver]

Re: Lowe fish and ski 175 how is it ??????

We bought our 175 FS in July 2006 and like the way it rides. We went with 115 4stroke Merc and found it under powered at times.

We were diappointed in a number of items and by the after sales service from Lowe Boats and would like to warn buyers of the gaps in the warranty.

Our boat hull started pealing paint after 3 weeks of gentle use. Lowe boats offered to take boat back in the fall and repaint it totally. We took the boat in in October and 8 months later got it back repainted but full of paint overspray on the inside finish. One month later the paint on the hull started pealing off again. Now Lowe wants to take it back and repeat the process.... so, buyers beware!!

The wiring on the boat is also very sloppy and substandard and we had numerous gage failures and also the trim on the instrument panel cracked.

Although the boat gives a great ride and handles rougher water well, The factory and dealer support leaves a lot to be desired