Lowe 185DC Fishing Machine  2008 boat specs
Lowe
Lowe 185DC Fishing Machine 2008
2008
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VS
Lowe JM220 2005 boat specs
Lowe
Lowe JM220 2005
2005
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Lowe 185DC Fishing Machine 2008 vs Lowe JM220 2005 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Lowe 185DC Fishing Machine 2008 vs Lowe JM220 2005 comparison sits squarely in the category of decisions where specs alone won't tell the whole story — intended use, storage, and long-term ownership costs all factor in.

Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Lowe JM220 2005 measures 22,0 feet overall (2005), giving it roughly 4,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Lowe 185DC Fishing Machine 2008 at 18,0 feet (2008). At 121 lbs and 192 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 35-hp advantage over the Lowe JM220 2005's 115-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Lowe 185DC Fishing Machine 2008 carries 38 gallons versus 31 gallons in the Lowe JM220 2005. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Lowe JM220 2005 is rated for 13 passengers, while the Lowe 185DC Fishing Machine 2008 caps at 7. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Lowe JM220 2005 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Lowe JM220 2005 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 13 passengers and at 22,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Lowe 185DC Fishing Machine 2008 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 7 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
MakeLowe
MakeLowe
Model185DC Fishing Machine
ModelJM22
Model Year2008
Model Year2005
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam95 in. (2.41 m)
Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.45 m)
Beam - Meters2.41
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Inches95
Beam - Inches102
Weight - Detail1,210 lbs. (549 kg)
Weight - DetailStandard: 1,700 lbs. (771 kg) XL Option: 1,920 lbs. (870.9 kg)
Weight - kg548.85
Weight - kg870.9
Weight - lbs.121
Weight - lbs.192
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. (.5 m)
Height [transom]not available
Length - Meters5.56
Length - Meters6.7
Length - Feet18
Length - Feet22
Length - Inches3
Length - Inchesnot available
Length overall - Detail18 ft. 3 in. (5.56 m)
Length overall - Detail22 ft. 0 in. (6.7 m)
Length overall - Meters5.56
Length overall - Meters6.71
Length overall - Inches219
Length overall - Inches264
Length [deck]not available
Length [deck]22 ft. 0 in. (6.7 m)
Body / Hull
Hull materialAluminum
Hull materialnot available
Hull thickness.100 in. (2.5 mm)
Hull thicknessnot available
Hull typeDeep Vee
Hull typenot available
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail38 gal. (144 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail31 gal. (117 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters143.85
Fuel tank capacity - Liters117.35
Fuel tank capacity - Gal38
Fuel tank capacity - Gal31
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typenot available
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeOutboard
Engine max150 hp (111 kW)
Engine maxStandard: 115 hp (85 kw) XL Option: 135 hp (100 kw)
Operational Info
Maximum capacity1,759 lbs. (798 kg)
Maximum capacityStandard: 2,463 lbs. (1,117 kg) XL Option: 2,763 lbs. (1,253 kg)
Maximum people7 / 1,115 lbs. (798 kg)
Maximum peopleStandard: 13 XL Option: 15
Trailer Info
Trailer - Length over allTongue in: 22 ft. 7 in. (6.9 m)
Trailer - Length over all30 ft. 0 in
Trailer - Width102 in. (2.59 m)
Trailer - Width8 ft. 6 in
Pontoon and Inflatable Specific
Tube diameternot available
Tube diameter25 in. (.63 m)
Tube gaugenot available
Tube gauge.080 in

Lowe 185DC Fishing Machine 2008 vs Lowe JM220 2005 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Lowe 185DC Fishing Machine 2008 or the Lowe JM220 2005?
The Lowe JM220 2005 is the longer of the two at 22,0 feet overall. The Lowe 185DC Fishing Machine 2008 comes in at 18,0 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 185DC Fishing Machine 2008 or the Lowe JM220 2005?
For trailering, the Lowe 185DC Fishing Machine 2008 has the edge at 121 lbs dry weight versus 192 lbs for the Lowe JM220 2005. 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 JM220 2005 tops out at 115 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 JM220 2005 is certified for 13. 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 is wider, and does it affect trailering?
The Lowe JM220 2005 measures 102" wide, compared to 95" for the Lowe 185DC Fishing Machine 2008. 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.
Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Lowe 185DC Fishing Machine 2008 or the Lowe JM220 2005?
The Lowe 185DC Fishing Machine 2008 has the bigger tank at 38 gallons, versus 31 gallons on the Lowe JM220 2005. That 7-gallon difference translates to roughly 21–35 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.
Are the Lowe 185DC Fishing Machine 2008 and Lowe JM220 2005 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Lowe 185DC Fishing Machine 2008 and the Lowe JM220 2005 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.