Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Lowe 185DC Fishing Machine 2008 vs Lowe Frontier 1546 2013 — Same Brand, Different Boat
Matching a deep vee Lowe 185DC Fishing Machine 2008 against a modified vee Lowe Frontier 1546 2013 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.
On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Lowe 185DC Fishing Machine 2008 at 18,0 ft versus Lowe Frontier 1546 2013 at 15,1 ft. At 121 lbs and 29 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 185DC Fishing Machine 2008 has a 125-hp advantage over the Lowe Frontier 1546 2013's 25-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 185DC Fishing Machine 2008 is rated for 7 passengers, while the Lowe Frontier 1546 2013 caps at 4. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Lowe 185DC Fishing Machine 2008 could be the deciding factor.
At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Lowe 185DC Fishing Machine 2008 comes in at 1 lbs per hp versus 1 lbs per hp for the Lowe Frontier 1546 2013. 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 185DC 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 Frontier 1546 2013 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
Model185DC Fishing Machine
ModelFrontier 1546
Model Year2008
Model Year2013
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam95 in. (2.41 m)
Beam70 in. (1.78 m)
Beam - Meters2.41
Beam - Meters1.78
Beam - Inches95
Beam - Inches7
Weight - Detail1,210 lbs. (549 kg)
Weight - Detail290 lbs. (132 kg)
Weight - kg548.85
Weight - kg131.54
Weight - lbs.121
Weight - lbs.29
Width [transom] - Detail83 in. (2.1 m)
Width [transom] - Detail46 in. (1.17 m) bottom
Height - Detail41 in. (1 m)
Height - Detailnot available
Height - Meters1.04
Height - Metersnot available
Height - Inches41
Height - Inchesnot available
Height [transom]20 in. (.5 m)
Height [transom]20 in. (0.5 m)
Length - Meters5.56
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Feet18
Length - Feet15.08
Length - Inches3
Length - Inchesnot available
Length overall - Detail18 ft. 3 in. (5.56 m)
Length overall - Detail15 ft. 1 in. (4.6 m)
Length overall - Meters5.56
Length overall - Meters4.6
Length overall - Inches219
Length overall - Inches181
Depth - Detailnot available
Depth - Detail20 in. (0.5 m)
Depth - Centimetersnot available
Depth - Centimeters50.8
Depth - Inchesnot available
Depth - Inches2
Body / Hull
Hull materialAluminum
Hull materialAluminum
Hull thickness.100 in. (2.5 mm)
Hull thickness0.080 in. (2.03 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
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeOutboard
Engine max150 hp (111 kW)
Engine max25 hp (19 kW)
Operational Info
Maximum capacity1,759 lbs. (798 kg)
Maximum capacity825 lbs. (374 kg)
Maximum people7 / 1,115 lbs. (798 kg)
Maximum people4 / 500 lbs. (227 kg)
Trailer Info
Trailer - Length over allTongue in: 22 ft. 7 in. (6.9 m)
Trailer - Length over allnot available
Trailer - Width102 in. (2.59 m)
Trailer - Widthnot available