Lowe 1710 or 1810

Settled on a Fish and Ski boat for the family (mostly for my fishing), and love the price point on 2015-2017 era Lowe boats. I’m wondering about ability to handle chop . bigger water? I know the component/finish quality may not be as good as Lund, Alumicraft, Crestliner, Smoker Craft etc, but I don’t want to break the bank. I also Lake Erie can get choppy quickly. (Don’t worry- I don’t plan to venture out in large waves, and lots of guys go out in 16-18ft boats here. I’ve been fishing Erie for many years, just finally pulling trigger on my own boat). I need something small enough to trailer easily and launch by myself or with just kids, so not going bigger. Just really want honest take on ride quality and handling/fishing when it’s more choppy vs more expensive fish-n-ski aluminum boats?

I do not have a Lowe or fish and ski. But I bought a windshield boat last year on a deal I couldn’t pass. Always had a 18 for tiller. Now a 17ft 6 full windshield. We tube, wake board and lots of fishing and camping. I have pushed the boat to its limits this last year on vermillion. Wish it was 18 ft6 but at 17 and a half it does great on all the big waters with me the woman and 2 half grown kids. Q ft more and a hair wider would be great though. I’d just go with what deal you find

No comments on Lowe specifically, but I’d go with the 18ft if you can.

I don’t think you’re going to find a lot of firsthand knowledge on this site as this are is primarily Lund/Alumacraft/Crestliner for the guys in aluminum boats. But I know Lowes is very popular in other parts of the country.

Back when Cabela’s was its own thing, they sold a lot of these boats. I remember thinking that you got a lot of boat for the price. It seemed fine for a midwestern small lake boat. But I wouldn’t want to be out on a big lake on it, especially one of the Great Lakes. For one of those lakes, I’d want the thicker walls of the Alumacraft Trophy or Lund Tyee, for example.

If there are more Starcrafts/Smokercrafts in your area, I would consider those first. They have come a long way and offer a lot for the price. Otherwise, maybe expand your search to MN/WI so you have more boats to choose from and come out and trailer it home.

I’d go 18 foot . The wider room in 17 vs 18 foot boats is worth it . I’m talking on Aluminum V boats however .

I would go 18ft for sure if you can for fishing Erie. To the Smoker/Starcraft recommendation they are good boats. I had a 2017 smokercraft pro mag 171. Nice wide boat and a dry ride but was a little rough(ride wise) compared to my current alumacraft.