Lowe 185DC Fishing Machine  2008 boat specs
Lowe
Lowe 185DC Fishing Machine 2008
2008
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VS
Lowe Frontier 1546 2013 boat specs
Lowe
Lowe Frontier 1546 2013
2013
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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
MakeLowe
MakeLowe
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
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typeGas
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

Lowe 185DC Fishing Machine 2008 vs Lowe Frontier 1546 2013 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Lowe 185DC Fishing Machine 2008 or the Lowe Frontier 1546 2013?
The Lowe 185DC Fishing Machine 2008 is the longer of the two at 18,0 feet overall. The Lowe Frontier 1546 2013 comes in at 15,1 feet, making it roughly 2,9 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.
Which is easier to trailer — the Lowe 185DC Fishing Machine 2008 or the Lowe Frontier 1546 2013?
For trailering, the Lowe Frontier 1546 2013 has the edge at 29 lbs dry weight versus 121 lbs for the Lowe 185DC 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 185DC Fishing Machine 2008 is rated to a maximum of 150 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Lowe Frontier 1546 2013 tops out at 25 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 185DC Fishing Machine 2008 is Coast Guard rated for 7 passengers, while the Lowe Frontier 1546 2013 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 185DC Fishing Machine 2008 has a better power-to-weight ratio at 1 lbs per hp compared to 1 lbs per hp for the Lowe Frontier 1546 2013. 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 185DC Fishing Machine 2008 measures 95" wide, compared to 7" for the Lowe Frontier 1546 2013. 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 185DC Fishing Machine 2008 and Lowe Frontier 1546 2013 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Lowe 185DC Fishing Machine 2008 and the Lowe Frontier 1546 2013 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.