My first Baot FS175

[Boat Guy II]

Hello all,

Well I just got my first boat, it a Lowe FS 175 with a 115Hp Merc. So far I seem to enjoy it, though I have allot to learn. Over the past few weeks I have found a few concerns. I was told by the dealer that I can't get tall (bass fishing) seats for the front and back because of the size. I think the hole is 2 3/8 and they don't make them that size. I have of course truned to google and have yet to find any. Do any of you know the answer to this? So far the best I have come up with is replace the mount front and back witha different size. I also must tell that I don't have any faith in my sales person, he has been the worst I ever seen. At one point I was getting ready to take back the whole damn thing. I would love to share the story but theres not enough room to type it here.

I have a motprguide wireless TM on the front that is great, but being only 12V I have to be carefull when dealing with any wind. Well I would love to hear any ideas you all may have on upgrades or some costom things that have worked for you.

Thanks for your help, and I think I got a good boat for years to come....

 

[HondaPower]

Re: My first Baot FS175

I had a similar problem with my seat posts and bases in an old 1982 Lowe I bought several years ago. They were old spingfield bases and posts which would not lock in place and were not adjustable. I could not find new posts to fit the bases. I ended up losing a seat on the way to the lake because it bounced out of the boat. I bought new Swivl-Eze Snap-Lock units, and I love them. You can get a variety of different posts that will fit the bases. There are other brands as well which are probably just as good. I would check out some of the online stores I did a lot of looking before I ordered.

 

[DeepV]

Re: My first Baot FS175

Congrats Boat Guy II. I bought the same boat new this year. I have the 115 Optimax. Is yours the same or 4 stroke?

I have already swapped the front and rear deck seat bases out for the Swiveleze pin locks. I added the adjustable poles with butt / leaning seats. It was well worth the $20.00 base to get more options on seats.

I have also done the following:
- added bimini top

- added more carpet to the forward end of the rod box so the rods go in / out easier

- cut holes and added 2 more speaker locations and installed Sony's all around (can't believe they only installed 2 speakers and on the same side)

- added 82 lb Motorguide 24 volt trolling motor (are you sure your's is only 12 volts?)

- added a folding ladder to the port side of the transom

- added another fish finder to the front deck

- added 3 rod holders for trolling

- added a Mercury Vengeance stainless steel prop

You might make sure the stereo is wired thru the accessory switch. I had to change mine because it would drain the battery in just a couple of weeks.

Good luck and let me know how you like it.

What kind of top speed are you getting? How is the hole shot? What prop are you using?

 

[Irv964]

Re: My first Baot FS175

DeepV, I just upgraded my speakers to some slighlty used MTX's rated for 260watts and what a difference! I know my receiver doesn't have the power to push them but maybe sometime in the near future I will get an amp especially if I add 2 more speakers like you did?
That brings me to my question, where abouts did you run your wires for the extra set of speakers? I am thinking of doing the same but I am trying to get away from drilling any holes if possible? Also did you mount them in the exact opposite locations or did you choose new ones? Thanks in advance for any info you can share..............Irv964

 

[DeepV]

Re: My first Baot FS175

Irv964,

It wasn't easy running the wires but doable. I put the speakers in the same locations opposite the factory ones.

On the right side, the wires can go in the factory conduit that goes to the bow. I screwed a piece of pvc to the underside of the wood bow closout and added another conduit to the lh side under the gunnel (just like the rh side). This got me to the passenger side console. Then I took the top screws out of the lower side storage console and was able to get the wires behind it. The worst thing was using a 5" hole saw to mount the speakers.

I really wasn't too bad. I just took my time so I wouldn't have to "revisit" it in the future.

 

[Irv964]

Re: My first Baot FS175

Great info DeepV, that doesn't sound too bad at all. Thanks for the reply.........Irv964

 

[overload]

Re: My first Baot FS175

Boat Guy II,

The FS 175 is a great boat. I bought my Lowe last year and I love it. Lowe boats are kind of like the Volkswagon or the Saab of the boat world in that they are well engineered and designed, but are prone to problems and quirks. This is clear just by reading this post. When I borrow mine out I it always goes like this: do this, don't do that, if this dosen't work do that, if it still dosen't work do this, don't forget to...when you...etc. Lowe boats often have electricle problems and peeling paint problems, so keep an eye on your hull and your batteries and accessories. Even with the problems I still love it, their hulls are the best. Lunds are way overpriced for what you get, Trackers feel cheap. Alumacraft and the others just don't compare. I think Lowe just came out with the best aluminum hull out there and they skimped on some things to stay competative. Good luck.