Lowe Stinger 195

[The Baron]

I’m still on the hunt for a 19ft-ish aluminum bass boat for the coming season.  Does anyone have experience with the Lowe Stinger series?  A local dealer has a 2024 Lowe Stinger 195 on clearance, making it an attractive option.  I just don’t know much about Lowe boats and internet searching didn’t come up with very much - a few new boat walk through videos, no long term reviews or info on the ride.

[The Baron]

Well, I did a bunch of research and also found a good unbiased review on YouTube that was very helpful.  Also turns out a buddy owns a Lowe Stinger 198 and has been very happy with it.  So I made up my mind and bought a boat today - a brand new 2024 Lowe Stinger 195 Bass with a Merc 115 Pro XS at $10k off sticker price on clearance.  After shaking on the deal the sales manager told me that with our weak Canadian dollar and threat of tariffs, their purchase costs are going up substantially.  He said all prices are going up so I snagged a great deal just in time.  The deal was already signed so I don’t think that was a sales pitch.

 

So, we just bought our dream boat.  Time to start thinking about add-ons. 😎

 

[BigAngus752]

Congratulations!  That's fantastic!  I've been on one of those and they are really well-built boats.  It's about the same color as my RT188 so I'm all in.  You got a great deal too.  What a great day!

 

If we get to vote on your initial upgrades, my very first priority would be a TM with GPS lock unless it already has one.  I fish alone in a windy state and I would fish with no electronics on the boat before I gave up a TM with GPS anchor.  My Ultrex has increased my catch rate more than anything else I've done.  

[GreenPig]

Very nice.

[Jig Man]

I think you will enjoy that boat.  I had a 180 for several years.  It was a good solid boat.

[The Baron]

3 hours ago, BigAngus752 said:

If we get to vote on your initial upgrades, my very first priority would be a TM with GPS lock unless it already has one.  I fish alone in a windy state and I would fish with no electronics on the boat before I gave up a TM with GPS anchor.  My Ultrex has increased my catch rate more than anything else I've done.  

100% the Bass Resource gang gets a say - and I’ll just show my wife the posts to prove I’m only following the great advice. 😊

 

But yes, my top priority is a trolling motor with Spotlock - I put one on our little 165 and we’ve loved it.  For a 24v 80#-ish I’m not sure if that means Terrova or Ultrex or ?? but there’s a local dealer I can work with.   Probably at the same time will be a 9”-10” nav/fish finder in the console and a 10”-12” at the bow.  Just down/side imaging for now.  We’ll see how the bank account is doing after that but I’d like to add a couple of shallow water anchors (likely 10-12ft Talons based on what little research I’ve done so far).  For how we like to fish, those upgrades would really make this our dream setup.  

[Jig Man]

The weight of them might be significant with that boat.

I had Power Poles for a while.  They were more of a problem than a help so I sold them.  With spot lock they aren’t necessary.  I held in 20 mph wind yesterday with spot lock and with the jog feature was able to quickly change positions.

[Junk Fisherman]

2 hours ago, Jig Man said:

The weight of them might be significant with that boat.

I had Power Poles for a while.  They were more of a problem than a help so I sold them.  With spot lock they aren’t necessary.  I held in 20 mph wind yesterday with spot lock and with the jog feature was able to quickly change positions.

 

I agree.  I use my Talon mostly at the dock or if I want to anchor and retie.  For fishing purposes, all I need is spot lock.

 

Nice boat OP.  I had a Lowe's boat for a number of years and it was a excellent boat.  

[kschultz76]

Congrats, looks like a beautiful boat! Enjoy it and best of luck!  

[Bird]

You won't be disappointed.

I've fished hard for several years with a Stinger 175 and have thoroughly enjoyed it...... very stable, well constructed.

 

[A-Jay]

Nice Rig ~

Best of Luck with her

Congrats

A-Jay

[gim]

23 hours ago, The Baron said:

For a 24v 80#-ish I’m not sure if that means Terrova or Ultrex or ??

 

Bear in mind that the Terrova is an electric steer version with a flatter pedal, and the Ultrex is more of a cable/hyrid version with a larger pedal.  You would probably want a cut out/recess tray up front for the Ultrex pedal.  In the photo if looks like there is already one there for the Minnkota Edge.

 

I don't know what kind of bow mount you had on your last boat but the two operate very differently.  I'm more a cable steer foot pedal guy myself but lots of people prefer electric steer versions using the remote.

[volzfan59]

Congratulations, great looking rig. Lowe boats are well constructed and will last.

[The Baron]

1 hour ago, gim said:

 

Bear in mind that the Terrova is an electric steer version with a flatter pedal, and the Ultrex is more of a cable/hyrid version with a larger pedal.  You would probably want a cut out/recess tray up front for the Ultrex pedal.  In the photo if looks like there is already one there for the Minnkota Edge.

 

I don't know what kind of bow mount you had on your last boat but the two operate very differently.  I'm more a cable steer foot pedal guy myself but lots of people prefer electric steer versions using the remote.

Good to know.  The boat does have a cutout for the trolling motor foot pedal.

Our 165 has a refurbished MK Powerdrive with an add-on GPS/Spotlock kit.  No foot pedal, just a remote.  It’s been OK and we love Spotlock, but would prefer a foot pedal.  So I guess that’s a cable drive version?  I’ll be going into my local dealer soon to discuss options.  First priority might be pull our Garmin UHD 93sv out of the little Tracker and mount it into the console/dash of the new Lowe.  Then a trolling motor with Spotlock.  Electronics at the bow might have to wait until our old boat sells.

[12poundbass]

Ii had an electric steer albeit and wireless and I did not like it at all. I’d go with the Ultrex or if you’re going all Garmin take a look at the Garmin Force.

[gim]

1 hour ago, The Baron said:

So I guess that’s a cable drive version?

 

No.  The Powerdrive is an electric steer version.  I used one for years on our family fishing boat and I hated it.  The response was slow and loud.

 

To me it sounds like you will want to go with an Ultrex.  It has more responsive steering with the pedal and also has spot lock capabilities.  Make sure the cut out/recessed tray is the appropriate size for the Ultrex pedal should you decide to go that route.  The pedal dimensions for the Edge that you currently have may not be the same.

[The Baron]

Thanks guys.  I’m kinda leaning toward a Garmin Force to sync up with Garmin electronics, but gotta talk to my local guy about it. 

[J._Bricker]

Congrats @The Baron on your new ride. I am also in the camp of a trolling motor with spot lock, which I use a heck of a lot more than my power poles. I’m sure you’re also considering upgrading your battery power situation in preparation for the electronics upgrade. Again, congrats and great fishing!

[Cuivre]

On 2/5/2025 at 12:12 PM, The Baron said:

Thanks guys.  I’m kinda leaning toward a Garmin Force to sync up with Garmin electronics, but gotta talk to my local guy about it. 

That is a crucial decision.  Anymore, the TM and the electronics are matched sets.  I went with an Ultrex on my G3 HP180 last change out, so I'm locked into HB electronics, assuming I only want one graph on the bow,  Fortunately, HB upped their game with their new Mega Live 2 technology, so I might have to sell my MegaLive 1 FFS transducer and move my Helix 10 to the console....since the MegaLive 2 transducers do not work with Helix head units.  Looking at their Explore Unit heads for the bow.

[tander]

That's a great looking boat. I am sure you will love it!!! I own a 1997 Lowe Roughneck 170. It has been a great boat. Has never leaked a drop in 27 years!!! Good luck with it.