Lowe FM 165 Pro WT Review

For years the 16-foot aluminum fishing boat has been the standard against which all others are measured. Big enough to handle a chop yet small enough to get into the shallows where the big bass live, the aluminum 16 became the fisherman’s yardstick due to its incredible versatility, with the ability to not just do it all, but do it all rather well, than you.

In celebration of its 45th anniversary this year, Lowe Boats has unveiled a special Anniversary Edition model of its popular FM 165 Pro WT that raises the bar on the 16-foot aluminum. With special 45th Anniversary badging on the glove box, hull exterior and steering wheel, deluxe Centric pedestal seats and a unique two-tone hull paint scheme, this is a boat that doesn’t just do a lot of things well, it also looks great in the process. But there’s a lot more to the FM 165 than spiffy graphics.

The large walk-through windshield provides excellent protection from the elements on cool days.

One of the tricks with a 16-foot boat is accommodating the vast range of features that serious anglers demand, while still leaving space to move about. The FM 165 accomplishes this easily with its beamy hull, which holds its maximum width to a point a few inches forward of the windshield. The result of this design is greater interior space, a broad front casting deck, and a sharply flared bow that does an excellent job of deflecting spray to keep the boat dry.

A Motorguide X3 bow-mount electric motor is standard, with more powerful units available as optional upgrades.

Step up on the carpeted front deck and you’ll find in-floor storage for bulky gear, plus a 20 gallon aerated live well. There’s also a small but convenient front storage compartment located beneath the mounting pad for the electric trolling motor, which is a perfect spot to store a couple of Plano 3700-sized tackle trays. The Motorguide X3 bow-mount electric motor is standard, as is the central in-floor rod locker with internal tubes, capable of accepting four rods to six feet, six inches and two more to seven feet in length. An aluminum base for one of the pedestal-mount seats sits amidships on the bow deck, with the fuel fill to the port side where it’s easily accessible, even when the boat has the cover on.

The passenger console includes a console storage box for small items like wallets and cell pohones.

Step into the main cockpit and you’ll find four in-floor seat bases, plus a wide rod locker that runs up along the port side. The rock locker locks for extra security, and accommodates sticks to seven feet in length. The standard flooring is a durable 16-ounce marine carpet in an attractive and sensible charcoal finish, with a vinyl cockpit floor available for those who prefer it. The passenger console includes a console storage box, and there’s additional storage located in the starboard gunnel.

The neat and attractive helm console includes full gauges and a standard Lowrance Hook 3x fishfinder.

The neat and attractive helm console includes a tach, speedometer, fuel and trim gauges, and a standard Lowrance Hook 3x fishfinder behind its attractive chrome-on-black soft-grip steering wheel. Standard anti-feedback steering is a nice touch, as are the retractable cleats that fold flat when not in use, so they won’t accidentally snag fishing lines or stub wayward toes. You’ll also find four beverage holders in the cockpit.

Fold-down cleats retract flat when not in use, so they won’t snag lines or stub toes.

The stern features a second raised casting deck with a carpeted surface, and another pedestal seat base. There is some storage space in the starboard compartment alongside the battery, and a 19 gallon aerated live well under the port side hatch.

Lowe offers a variety of option packages for the FM 165 Pro WT, including a stand-up top, tilt steering, different stereo packages, upgraded fishing electronics, electric motor upgrades and more.

Four cup holders mounted throughout ensure a cool drink is never out of reach.

Lowe’s FM 165 Pro WT is a well designed, adaptable fishing boat that tows easily behind mid-sized vehicles and fits in the average garage. That it can also take the family for rides or pull a skier or riders on a tube makes it a good choice, whether one is looking for their first serious fishing boat, or looking to downsize and focus on having fun.

Lowe FM 165 Pro WT

LOA: 16’ 5”

Beam: 82”

Dry weight: 1,250 lbs.

Fuel capacity: 26 gals.

Passenger capacity: 6

Maximum power: 90 hp

Info: loweboats.com