Re: Lowe Roughneck?
I have been dreaming about a new boat and I like the look of the Lowe Roughneck 1652 all-welded john boat.
I just bought the next size - the Lowe Roughneck 1860 center console - and I wouldn't think my experience was too different than what you could expect.
The first morning I took it out, it was blowing hard and I thought I would see how the boat handled it. The seas were 3-4 feet high and I was impressed that quartering them, it took them as well as the 16' Boston Whaler I usually use. It was perfectly dry, and I had no problem with the hatches opening and slamming shut or the boat rattling as is typical of aluminum boats.
Fairwind, and with the seas directly in back of me, was like surfing. When I had the speed right, it was a great ride, again with no water coming into the boat.
When I rounded the point and the wind had been mostly blocked, I skipped across the 6 inch chop like lightning.
I have a 60 hp 4 stroke Merc and that pushed the boat great, even with about seven hundred pounds of us aboard.
Fit, finish, and overall quality of the boat is great.
All things considered, I am very pleased with the 1860 and would think that the sixteen foot version would give you very close if not exactly the same results.