Lowe 185 Fishing Machine  2008 boat specs
Lowe
Lowe 185 Fishing Machine 2008
2008
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Lowe R1455 2009 boat specs
Lowe
Lowe R1455 2009
2009
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Lowe 185 Fishing Machine 2008 vs Lowe R1455 2009 — Same Brand, Different Boat

Matching a deep vee Lowe 185 Fishing Machine 2008 against a modified vee Lowe R1455 2009 means you're likely deciding between two genuinely different on-water experiences. Hull type shapes everything from ride quality and fuel burn to dock handling and resale trajectory.

Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Lowe 185 Fishing Machine 2008 measures 18,0 feet overall (2008), giving it roughly 4,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Lowe R1455 2009 at 14,0 feet (2009). At 121 lbs and 51 lbs respectively, both sit in a similar weight class — either should pair comfortably with most mid-size SUVs and half-ton trucks, though always confirm your specific tow rating with the motor added.

The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 150 hp, the Lowe 185 Fishing Machine 2008 has a 110-hp advantage over the Lowe R1455 2009's 40-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Lowe 185 Fishing Machine 2008 is rated for 7 passengers, while the Lowe R1455 2009 caps at 4. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Lowe 185 Fishing Machine 2008 could be the deciding factor.

At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Lowe 185 Fishing Machine 2008 comes in at 1 lbs per hp versus 1 lbs per hp for the Lowe R1455 2009. The lower the ratio the more explosive the acceleration — meaningful on a short RIB where bursts of speed, quick planing, and agility in surf or tight waterways define the experience.

Bottom line: Choose the Lowe 185 Fishing Machine 2008 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 7 passengers and at 18,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Lowe R1455 2009 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 4 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
MakeLowe
MakeLowe
Model185 Fishing Machine
ModelR1455
Model Year2008
Model Year2009
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam95 in. (2.41 m)
Beam79 in. (2.01 m)
Beam - Meters2.41
Beam - Meters2.01
Beam - Inches95
Beam - Inches79
Weight - Detail1,210 lbs. (549 kg)
Weight - Detail510 lbs. (231 kg)
Weight - kg548.85
Weight - kg231.33
Weight - lbs.121
Weight - lbs.51
Width [transom] - Detail83 in. (2.1 m)
Width [transom] - Detailnot available
Height - Detail41 in. (1 m)
Height - Detailnot available
Height - Meters1.04
Height - Metersnot available
Height - Inches41
Height - Inchesnot available
Height [transom]20 in. (.53 m)
Height [transom]20 in. (0.51 m)
Length - Meters5.56
Length - Meters4.45
Length - Feet18
Length - Feet14
Length - Inches3
Length - Inches7
Length overall - Detail18 ft. 3 in. (5.56 m)
Length overall - Detail14 ft. 7 in. (4.45 m)
Length overall - Meters5.56
Length overall - Meters4.45
Length overall - Inches219
Length overall - Inches175
Depth - Detailnot available
Depth - Detail25 in. (0.64 m)
Depth - Centimetersnot available
Depth - Centimeters63.5
Depth - Inchesnot available
Depth - Inches25
Body / Hull
Hull materialAluminum
Hull materialAluminum
Hull thickness.100 in. (2.5 mm)
Hull thickness0.100 in. (2.5 mm)
Hull typeDeep Vee
Hull typeModified Vee
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail38 gal. (144 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Liters143.85
Fuel tank capacity - Litersnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Gal38
Fuel tank capacity - Galnot available
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typeGas
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typenot available
Engine max150 hp (111 kW)
Engine max40 hp (30 kw)
Operational Info
Maximum capacity1,759 lbs. (798 kg)
Maximum capacity1,100 lbs. (499 kg)
Maximum people7 / 1,115 lbs. (798 kg)
Maximum people4 / 599 lbs. (272 kg)
Trailer Info
Trailer - Length over allTongue in: 22 ft. 7 in. (6.9 m)
Trailer - Length over all19 ft. (5.79 m)
Trailer - Width102 in. (2.59 m)
Trailer - Widthnot available
Trailer - Detailnot available
Trailer - DetailPainted bunk trailer with swing tongue

Lowe 185 Fishing Machine 2008 vs Lowe R1455 2009 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Lowe 185 Fishing Machine 2008 or the Lowe R1455 2009?
The Lowe 185 Fishing Machine 2008 is the longer of the two at 18,0 feet overall. The Lowe R1455 2009 comes in at 14,0 feet, making it roughly 4,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.
Which is easier to trailer — the Lowe 185 Fishing Machine 2008 or the Lowe R1455 2009?
For trailering, the Lowe R1455 2009 has the edge at 51 lbs dry weight versus 121 lbs for the Lowe 185 Fishing Machine 2008. Add a motor (typically 300–500 lbs for an outboard in this class), gear, and a partial fuel load and the difference grows. Lighter is friendlier on smaller tow vehicles and on fuel economy while hauling.
Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?
The Lowe 185 Fishing Machine 2008 is rated to a maximum of 150 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Lowe R1455 2009 tops out at 40 hp. Keep in mind that maximum ratings are just that — matching the motor to the actual load and usage pattern usually matters more than chasing the ceiling.
How many people can each boat hold?
The Lowe 185 Fishing Machine 2008 is Coast Guard rated for 7 passengers, while the Lowe R1455 2009 is certified for 4. Note that legal capacity and comfortable capacity aren't always the same thing — on a full day out, most experienced boaters aim for about 80% of the rated number to keep things comfortable.
Which boat has the better power-to-weight ratio?
The Lowe 185 Fishing Machine 2008 has a better power-to-weight ratio at 1 lbs per hp compared to 1 lbs per hp for the Lowe R1455 2009. A lower number means quicker acceleration and faster time to plane — the number that actually matters most on short, sporty boats like these.
Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?
The Lowe 185 Fishing Machine 2008 measures 95" wide, compared to 79" for the Lowe R1455 2009. The US standard-width towing limit is 8’6" (102") in most states — anything over that may need a wide-load permit. Confirm your specific route requirements with each state's DOT.
Are the Lowe 185 Fishing Machine 2008 and Lowe R1455 2009 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Lowe 185 Fishing Machine 2008 and the Lowe R1455 2009 are built by Lowe. That means shared dealer networks, common parts availability, and consistent build quality across the line. The choice between them is essentially a question of how much boat you need, not which brand you trust.