Lowe FM 1625 WT Review

You would expect a boat with the words “Fishing Machine” in its name to come with everything needed for a day chasing bass, walleye, panfish or pike. But what really sets the Lowe FM 1625 WT apart is the unexpected extras that give this boat such great value.

First off, yes, the FM in its name really does stand for Fishing Machine, and the WT part refers to its wide transom. This is a boat that’s built to fish hard every day, as evidenced by its hefty construction using solid .100 gauge aluminum plate. Although rated to carry up to six passengers, the FM 1625 WT is set up as a serious fishing rig that’s ready for the weekend tournament. It all starts with its open layout with raised bow and stern casting decks.

The large front casting deck includes a 23-gallon live well.

The big bow deck offers enough room for two anglers to fish side-by-side in comfort, and that’s a bit unusual for a 16-foot boat. Lowe achieves this by maintaining the boat’s full width all the way forward of the walk-through windshield, keeping the bow wide and spacious. This design also allows room for two large in-floor storage lockers for bulky gear while leaving room for a 23-gallon live well right in the bow deck – complete with a divider and a support rim for a bait bucket. A raised mounting pad forward provides a secure place to mount an electric motor, such as the available MotorGuide FW50 model that’s available as a factory option. There’s also room to install a touch-screen MFD on an articulated mount, so it can be easily viewed while fishing.

In-floor rod storage accommodates six rods to eight feet in length.

Step back into the roomy main cockpit of the Lowe FM 1625 WT and you’ll note the large in-floor storage locker that provides safe stowage for up to six rods of up to eight feet in length. The boat comes with two pedestal-mount, fold-down fishing seats for the driver and passenger as standard equipment, while additional seats can be ordered if needed. Four flush-mounted cup holders located throughout the cockpit keep that morning coffee within easy reach at all times – a critically important consideration in any modern fishing boat.

A locking glove box on the passenger console provides secure storage for valuables.

The driver and companion sit behind attractive, molded grey consoles protected by the aforementioned walk-through windshield. The passenger compartment includes a locking glove box, providing secure storage space for valuables like wallets, cell phones and the truck keys. The helm console is simple and straightforward, with the speedometer and tachometer mounted up top where they’re clearly seen. 4:1 anti-feedback steering is a thoughtful standard feature, along with the upgraded black soft-grip steering wheel.

Cup holders throughout ensure a hot coffee or cold drink are always close at hand.

Like the bow, the stern raised casting deck also features a seat base – one of six located throughout the Lowe FM 1625 WT. Flooring here – as everywhere – is a comfortable 16-ounce marine carpet in an attractive shadow grey color that hides dirt and debris while remaining cool under the summer sun. There’s battery storage in the stern deck, along with a compartment to conceal the 12-gallon portable fuel tank. That’s a key feature that is especially popular with cottage owners. Since not every lake has a marina with fuel, the portable tank allows them to fill up in town without having to pull the boat from the water.

Lowe has been building boats for a long time, and the company knows that anglers love to fiddle and customize things to tweak the boat to their own taste. That’s why the FM 1625 WT comes with such an extensive option list, including a wide range of factory-installed electronics, canvas packages, engines and accessories like on board battery chargers, ski pylons, a swim platform, stereos and trailers.

A wide range of options let buyers spec the FM 1625 WT exactly as they like.

Rated to handle outboards of up to 90 horsepower, the Lowe FM 1625 WT has the credentials to tackle bigger waters, while still being able to sneak into those shallow back bays where the trophy bass live. This is a well-designed, well-equipped boat that represents great value.