Lowe Stinger 175

[saluki]

I'm thinking about getting rid of my 1995 Tracker Pro 17 and getting this Lowe thats designed more for crappie fishing but keeps bass fishing in mind. I have to get a 25hp as several of the lakes in my area have a 25 hp limit. Nothing wrong with the Tracker, its just been used hard and I'm looking for a little piece of mind each time I go. Any thoughts? Oh yea, the Lowe has an 85" beam with 3 pedestal seat bases up front so you can fish 1 or 2 up front and a 3rd in back.

[frank lawhead]

BOUGHT A LOWE 170WV LAST YEAR--THE THREE SEAT BASES ARE NICE
HAVE NEVER HAD A MINUTES TROUBLE WITH THE BOAT.LIKE IT REAL WELL
DON,T SEE WHY KEEPING THE 25 HP. WOULD,NT BE A GOOD IDEAL

[TampaJim]

You will be SO HAPPY!!! I own a 2006 Lowe Stinger 160 with a 50HP Mercury EFI Four-stroke. The boats are beautiful - more deck storage than anything in their class, all aluminum construction (NO WOOD), etc. You won't appreciate the hull strakes with a 25hp, but the rascal holds the water even in a super tight turn with my 50hp! My boat has a 23 gallon livewell with integrated removable baitwell (biggest livewell among 16' competitors = 15 gallon w no baitwell). The 175 has two of these giant livewells! I have touched and smelled the 175 but I wanted the 160 due to garage constraints. If you have any questions, PM me.

[gone fishing]

It sounds like Lowe makes a good boat. You need to be careful if you are thinking about buying a Polar Kraft. I have one and I have major problems with it. As a matter of fact I posted a thread on Off Topic Forum about my problem. Good luck on finding the boat that you like.

Donald Barnes

[breadboy]

Lowe is a good jon boat company.

[PieEye]

Only problem is the three seats are too far from the bow making it tough to reach things. Big boat for a twenty five. OMHO..

[jawmaw]

I bought my Stinger 175 in January of this year. It has the 4 stroke 60 Mercury and I paid about 13K. It has been a pretty nice boat but I do wish I would have waited until he had a 75 hp to put on the boat.

I just mounted my 16 ft Stiffy push pole this weekend. I had a heck of a time finding mounts for the narrow gunwale.

All in all its a pretty good boat.

[ReelFun]

I'm thinking about getting rid of my 1995 Tracker Pro 17 and getting this Lowe thats designed more for crappie fishing but keeps bass fishing in mind. I have to get a 25hp as several of the lakes in my area have a 25 hp limit. Nothing wrong with the Tracker, its just been used hard and I'm looking for a little piece of mind each time I go. Any thoughts? Oh yea, the Lowe has an 85" beam with 3 pedestal seat bases up front so you can fish 1 or 2 up front and a 3rd in back.

Want one too! I love the set up.

[TAE73]

I had a 180 stinger, and split the hull open in 2' waves. I dont feel that I was pushing or abusing the boat when it happened. Almost didnt get it on the trailer. Lowe did fix it for free, but I had to bring the boat to them or pay to get the dealer to deliver it. Lucky I am only a hour and half away from the plant. I also thought the trailer could have been a little better. The axle was not strong enough, causing it to bow and it allowed the inside of the tires to wear. I didnt care for the boxes would of been watertight because every time it rained they would get water in them. I did like the back livewell with the minnow bucket. I thought it was a good boat but could use some improvements.

[saluki]

Thanks Ted and the rest, the problem I have now is I've been told the 25hp wont get the 175 on plane? Anything larger than a 25 takes 2 good close lakes (Coffeen and Sangchris) out of the picture. They are both less than an hour away. Any other suggestions for a boat with a wide deck that a 25 hp goes well with? Thanks