Lowe FM1775 SC Review
You shouldn’t mess with success, and for years the side-console aluminum fishing boat has reigned as the undisputed versatility champion. It feels equally at home chasing bass on big southern reservoirs or hunting pike, walleye, and lake trout in the far north. It’s an approach long appreciated by Lowe Boats with its Fishing Machine series. The Lowe FM1775 SC might be one of the best value multi-species fishing boats on the market. Why? It is built big enough for large open waters yet trim enough to still get into remote back lakes and launch from rough ramps.
At a Glance: Lowe FM1775 SC
LOWE FM1775
- Stability and a comfortable ride from Superwide hull design
- Open-water security provided by a deep cockpit
- Options that allow buyers to get the features they want
- No sun protection without optional top
- Stable for its size but still a 17-footer
- Multi-species anglers looking for value
- Anglers who fish variably sized bodies of water
Specifications
- Length: 17 feet, 9 inches
- Beam: 7 feet, 2 inches
- Dry weight: 1,168 pounds
- Fuel capacity: 27 gallons
- Passenger capacity: 6
- Maximum horsepower: 115
Power and Performance
- Tested: Mercury 90 Four-Stroke
- Cylinders: I4
- Displacement: 2.1L
- Weight: 359 pounds
- Top speed: 42 mph
- Base price w/base power: $30,745
Features We Love
- Optional fold-up stern deck extension with jumpseats
- Large, roomy bow casting deck
- Helm console
- 14-gallon aerated bow livewell
- Optional 19-gallon stern livewell
- Rod storage locker with individual tubes for up to 10 rods
- Two additional storage compartments in the bow deck
- Storage nook for a cellphone
- Minn Kota PowerDrive electric trolling motor
- Lowrance Eagle 5 sonar
- Optional matching trailer
Design and Construction
This is a boat that has the features anglers need and nothing they don’t. Crafted from a fully welded, 0.100-gauge aluminum hull, the Lowe FM 1775 SC rides on a spacious 86-inch beam and boasts an impressive 23-inch cockpit depth. Rated to handle outboards to 115 horsepower, it comes with plenty of dry storage spaces for tackle and gear, features a 14-gallon aerated livewell in the bow deck, and an available 19-gallon aerated livewell in the stern.
Buyers can add an optional fold-down rear deck for more fishing space. It folds back up to reveal a pair of jumpseats, each with its own mini console with storage and a drink holder. That’s pretty impressive for a 17-foot fishing boat.
Lowe FM1775 SC Layout
Step aboard and you quickly feel right at home, thanks to the FM 1775 SC’s time-proven layout of raised bow and stern casting decks that sandwich a deeper central cockpit. The main cockpit flooring is a hard-wearing marine vinyl, while the bow and stern casting decks use a plush, 16-ounce marine-grade carpet for added comfort and traction with wet feet.
The FM1775 SC model boasts a space-saving side-console layout. Anglers who appreciate a little more occupant protection can select the similar FM1775 SC WT model, which features dual consoles and a full walk-through windshield. Here, we will focus on the more popular side-console configuration.
The bow and stern decks on this boat are both spacious and positioned at the right height to provide excellent visibility when casting while remaining low enough that landing fish remains easy. Anglers don’t need a bulky, long-handled net on this boat.
Fishing Features
Do you dread propping up spare rods here and there? Lowe considered that and built a large rod storage locker into the bow deck. It houses individual tubes for up to 10 rods. Thoughtfully positioned bungees at the handle end keep reels from bouncing around while underway. The trolling motor batteries stow beneath the rod locker’s floor. Two additional storage compartments in the bow deck keep tackle neatly organized yet instantly available. Between them is an aluminum receptacle for a removable pedestal-mount seat.
The bow deck terminates in a deck pad that is set to gunwale height. It creates the ideal spot to mount an electric trolling motor, complete with a storage cubby in its face to accommodate the pedal control when it’s not in use.
The front and back casting decks merge smoothly with an elevated portside storage locker that can stow more rods or other bulky gear. A matching floor-level storage space to starboard gobbles up yet further gear to keep things neat and organized on board.
Lowe FM 1775 SC Helm
At the helm, a low-profile dash takes care of business with four white-on-black dial gauges capped by chrome bezels. Standard gauges include a tachometer, a speedometer, a trim gauge, and a fuel gauge. On a flat space to the right side of the dash, you can mount a GPS chartplotter on an adjustable bracket. That allows you to position it as you wish without having to remove the tall acrylic windshield.
A series of lighted toggles set on the adjacent starboard gunwale control electrical accessories such as the bilge and the livewell pumps, as well as the navigation and courtesy lights. A storage nook for a cellphone sits immediately below, with a USB power outlet for fast and easy charging.
Options Packages
In its standard arrangement, the Lowe FM1775 SC comes well equipped and ready to hit the water. But Lowe offers some interesting option packages for this boat that can impact its everyday usability and value. The $345 Upgraded Fishing package, for instance, adds details including a main engine trim switch panel up on the bow, along with the aforementioned recirculating livewell in the stern deck. Without the Fishing Package, that portside stern deck compartment is a storage bin. As a result, you will have to dash back to the helm if you want to lift the main engine when you are navigating weedy areas from the bow deck with the electric motor.
Lowe also offers what it calls the Essentials Package ($1,555). Its add-ons include a custom fit boat cover and a slider on the helm seat to more comfortably accommodate captains of different heights. Another included feature is a stern-mounted swim platform with a retractable stainless steel boarding ladder. That is a very useful addition whether you plan to swim from the boat or not. All it takes is one experience trying to reboard without a ladder to convince someone of its value.
Even More Options
Additional available upgrades include tilt steering ($198), hydraulic steering (essential with higher power engines, and certainly worth the $2,055 upcharge), full vinyl flooring ($270), and the aforementioned rear jumpseat conversion ($970).
Many anglers will opt for the factory-installed Minn Kota PowerDrive electric trolling motor ($1,313) and dealer-installed Lowrance Eagle 5 sonar ($443). Further available upgrades include both single-bank and dual-bank battery chargers, a Kicker KMV5 stereo system with two speakers, and a base receptacle for a removable ski tow pylon.
One accessory anglers likely will choose is the optional matching trailer. Available in a choice of painted or galvanized finishes for $3,500 or $3,600, respectively, it features a swing-away tongue and 2,400-pound capacity.
Lowe FM1775 SC Power
Standard power on the Lowe FM1775 SC is a Mercury 90 hp four-stroke. While the boat is rated to take outboards of up to 115 hp, the 90 is a sensible option. It keeps the cost down and reduces fuel burn over the long haul.
In terms of performance, the 90 will deliver a top-end speed in the low 40 mph range, depending on load, where the 115 might add a further three to four mph, all else being equal. Both engines use the same 2.1L inline four-cylinder engine block and weigh 359 pounds. The 115 delivers a higher top speed because it is equipped with the Command Thrust gearcase. Derived from the V6 Mercury 150, the gearcase allows the 115 to use larger 150 horsepower–class propellers. The 90 cannot use those props because it typically comes with the smaller, standard gearcase.
Performance
With two people aboard and a typical fishing load, the Lowe FM1775 SC with the 90 drives quite nicely with quick acceleration and plenty of top-end speed. Let’s keep in mind, this is a fishing boat, not a racer.
The FM1775 SC’s deep-V, all-welded aluminum hull incorporates reverse chines and a full-length extruded keel as part of Lowe’s Superwide hull bottom design, which accomplishes a few things. First, it improves stability while fishing. Second, it improves planing performance underway. Finally, it helps keep spray to a minimum for a comfortable, dry ride.
This is a comparatively light boat—it weighs in at just under 1,200 pounds—so holeshots with the Mercury 90 are quick, especially with a touch of negative trim. The reverse chines maintain plenty of grip in turns for steady, predictable handling.
Owners who want the absolute best performance should upgrade to a 115 or perhaps the optional Mercury 115 Pro XS. Doing so will deliver higher top speeds in the range of 45 mph. Top speed could perhaps approach 49 mph with the 115 XS model under optimal conditions. But those extra few mph come at a cost, which explains the popularity of the 90 on this boat.
Lowe FM1775 SC Conclusions
No matter how it’s powered, the Lowe FM1775 SC is a versatile, well-made fishing boat. It possesses the versatility to handle a variety of fish species and water conditions, from rough northern lakes to calm, southern reservoirs.
Anglers who like to catch different species in different places while keeping an eye on costs will appreciate this vessel from a well-known and respected builder.
Lowe Boats For Sale
Craig Ritchie
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