Overview: The Lowe Sportsman 16 is a well thought-out boat for hunting and fishing.

Jeff Hemmel takes a short break from writing boat test notes.



View the Boats.com Lowe Sportsman 16 Video Boat Review

Test Conditions: Light chop, 1/2 tank fuel, two people aboard

CONCEPT
• Unique hunting and fishing hybrid
• Open hunting-style side console layout
• Spacious dual casting decks
• V-hull design

CONSTRUCTION
• .100” 5052 Aluminum
• All-welded construction
• Extruded extra-strength ribs
• Six formed-in strakes

PERFORMANCE
• 38 mph top speed w/Mercury 60HP outboard
• Fuel-efficient; only 5.5 gph at WOT
• Time to plane: 3.7 seconds

HANDLING
• Deadrise, strakes provide excellent tracking
• Can porpoise in rough water; able to settle with trim
• Minimal draft makes it easy to get into skinny waters

FEATURES
• 22-gallon aerated livewell
• Lockable rod/gun locker
• Receiver gunwale track for accessories
• Optional Gator Skin nonslip liner
• Optional hand-applied camo paint
• Trailer: Single-axle w/loading guides

For more information, visit the Lowe Sportsman 16 web page.

hemmelheadshotJeff Hemmel was a senior editor at Watercraft World with work appearing in Consumer’s Digest, Boating, Motor Boating, and more. Jeff has won 17 writing awards, is an inductee into the International Jet Sports Boating Association Hall of Fame, and won its 2008 Lifetime Achievement Award for Outstanding Journalistic Contributions. For more info, visit his website.

Written by: Jeff Hemmel
Jeff Hemmel writes for boats.com, Boating, PersonalWatercraft.com, and Powersports Business. The former Senior Editor at Watercraft World, Jeff is a multi-time award winner as well as a 2008 inductee into the IJSBA Hall of Fame. His first book, "The Anti-Pirate Potato Cannon...and 101 Other Things For Young Mariners To Try, Do, & Build On the Water," received a bronze medal in the 2010 Moonbeam Children's Book Awards.