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2006 Lowe Lowe Stinger 180W Bass Boat Photos
2006 Lowe Lowe Stinger 180W Bass Boat Test Details
| Category | Bass Boat |
| Length | 17ft 10in / 5.18 m |
| Engine Make | Mercury |
| Dealers | Contact Lowe Boats Dealers |
| Buyers Guides | Search For Lowe Boats Buyers Guides |
| Boats For Sale | Search For Lowe Boats For Sale |
2006 Lowe Lowe Stinger 180W Bass Boat Description
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It was late October when I got the call from our Editor to test an aluminum bass boat for our 2006 Test Issue.
"Just perfect," I thought, "an open design, cold water, and colder winds." As much as I love testing boats, I was so not looking forward to this one. But it's funny how things can turn around. As they launched the Lowe Stinger 180W it appeared to be an average aluminum bass boat; simple and unassuming. As my test unfolded, I'd learn differently.
Climbing aboard, I was amazed at how solid the hull felt underfoot. Lowe's CAD based construction ensures that every hull component from the gunwales down are welded together in a united system they call SuperLokTM. The hull is 100 gauge marine aluminum with no rivets to be found. The composite transom and the TufDekTM aluminum decks mean there is no wood in the boat. Given all this, it's no surprise that Lowe offers a lifetime warranty to the original purchaser.
The Bombardier Recreation-built Evinrude E-Tec 75hp outboard fired up immediately with no tell-tale smoke so typical of two-strokes. At idle, my sound meter read a mere 81dbA. Heading out onto a light chop on Lake Couchiching, I set about putting the Lowe 180W through our standard test protocol. The Stinger's variable deadrise hull got up on plane in just over 4 seconds on its way to a top speed of 41 mph. With the temperature gauge still reading cold, the E-Tec engine didn't hesitate or stumble as I repeatedly throttled it up and down recording acceleration numbers.
Despite the low freeboard design of the 180W's hull, both up and downwind the ride remained dry. During cornering the hull tracked well with minimal sliding even in the six-inch chop thanks in part to the integrated running keels. In really tight turns the feeling at the helm is one of control, so much so that the performance is limited by the steely resolve of the boat's occupants and not the hull design. Pure fun!
Drifting, I took some time to wander around and to try and make my cold fingers write some notes. Our test boat was finished in a gold and black paint scheme with dark beige interior carpeting. The nearly flat deck layout is classic bass boat as is the Minn-Kota bowmounted trolling motor. As I did some test casts and moved around the boat, I was impressed with how stable and flat this 18 footer stayed. Ahead of the dual consoles, under the forward casting platform, there are 2 bait wells, a center rod storage compartment, and two more lined storage areas. The deeply padded, folding seats provide excellent lumbar support whether running or sitting back relaxing waiting for a bite. The helm had an assortment of Faria gauges, colour-coordinated to the hull. Beyond the Piranha fish-finder, I was pleased to find there was plenty of room to add additional electronic accessories.
My knuckles white from the cold wind, I turned to head back towards the launch ramp nodding happily - all in all, it's an impressive package. While the 180W may be rated for a 150hp motor, the 75 E-Tec will provide plenty of power even when fully loaded.
Once on the trailer, I remembered that when the E-Tec engine lineup was launched in November 2003, one of the things I liked best about the new design was the automatic winterizing feature. Without the need to drain and fog the engine each fall - typically freezing your fingers off in the process - the boating season is extended right up to freeze-up. Also as no spring tune-up is required, when the ice goes out, you simply launch and go. Kudos to the Bombardier design team for knowing what real boaters want. However, although the manual suggests that no engine oil changes are required for the first three years, if it were my engine, I'd still change the oil at least once per season.
2006 Lowe Lowe Stinger 180W Bass Boat Test Specifications
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Test boat engine: 75hp Evinrude E-Tec Inline 3 cylinder Two-Stroke Direct Fuel Injection gasoline outboard engine, 79 ci / 1.29 l, powering a 14 x 19 inch pitch 3 blade aluminum propeller.
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