Having owned a couple of Lowe 18HP, the difference in construction/quality/features was a step below my RT188. Storage and fishing space two steps below. I had to install gaskets on all the compartments, except for the livewell on the Lowe's. Biggest difference, for me, was the cheap Karavan trailer on the Lowes. Ranger trailer is outstanding. As far as fishing, the 300# difference in the hulls, combined with the hull width, the RT is as stable as my old Ranger 340V. I agree that the ModVee hull design is ancient, but Pad not available in 2016. I've owned a bunch of boats, glass, PVC, and tin, over the past 40 odd years, and I've been more satisfied with the RT than any other. If a hybrid rig is in the offing from BPS, I'd jump at an RT with the Revolution hull.