Lowe A1257 2011 vs Lowe FM185 2011 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Lowe A1257 2011 or the Lowe FM185 2011?

The Lowe FM185 2011 is the longer of the two at 18,3 feet overall. The Lowe A1257 2011 comes in at 12,1 feet, making it roughly 6,2 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Lowe A1257 2011 or the Lowe FM185 2011?

For trailering, the Lowe FM185 2011 has the edge at 121 lbs dry weight versus 128 lbs for the Lowe A1257 2011. 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.

Q: Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Lowe FM185 2011 is rated to a maximum of 150 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Lowe A1257 2011 tops out at 10 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.

Q: How many people can each boat hold?

The Lowe A1257 2011 is Coast Guard rated for 3 passengers, while the Lowe FM185 2011 is certified for 7. 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.

Q: Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Lowe FM185 2011 measures 95" wide, compared to 57" for the Lowe A1257 2011. 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.

Q: Are the Lowe A1257 2011 and Lowe FM185 2011 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Lowe A1257 2011 and the Lowe FM185 2011 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.

Boat Comparison

Lowe A1257 2011 vs Lowe FM185 2011

Lowe

Lowe A1257 2011

2011

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Lowe

Lowe FM185 2011

2011

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Lowe A1257 2011 vs Lowe FM185 2011 — Same Brand, Different Boat

Matching a modified vee Lowe A1257 2011 against a deep vee Lowe FM185 2011 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 FM185 2011 measures 18,3 feet overall (2011), giving it roughly 6,2 additional feet of deck space compared to the Lowe A1257 2011 at 12,1 feet (2011). At 128 lbs and 121 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 FM185 2011 has a 140-hp advantage over the Lowe A1257 2011's 10-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 FM185 2011 is rated for 7 passengers, while the Lowe A1257 2011 caps at 3. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Lowe FM185 2011 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Lowe FM185 2011 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 7 passengers and at 18,3 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Lowe A1257 2011 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 3 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeLowe

ModelA1257

ModelFM185

Model Year2011

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam57 in. (1.45 m)

Beam95 in. (2.41 m)

Beam - Meters1.45

Beam - Meters2.41

Beam - Inches57

Beam - Inches95

Weight - Detail128 lbs. (58 kg)

Weight - Detail1,210 lbs. (549 kg)

Weight - kg58.06

Weight - kg548.85

Weight - lbs.128

Weight - lbs.121

Height - Detail27 in. (0.69 m) bow

Height - Detail41 in. (1.04 m) bow

Height - Meters0.69

Height - Meters1.04

Height - Inches27

Height - Inches41

Height [transom]15 in. (0.38 m)

Height [transom]25 in. (0.64 m)

Length - Feet12.08

Length - Feet18.25

Length overall - Detail12 ft. 1 in. (3.68 m)

Length overall - Detail18 ft. 3 in. (5.56 m)

Length overall - Meters3.68

Length overall - Meters5.56

Length overall - Inches145

Length overall - Inches219

Width [transom] - Detailnot available

Width [transom] - Detail83 in. (2.1 m) bottom

Body / Hull

Hull materialAluminum

Hull thickness0.050 in. (1.2 mm)

Hull thickness0.100 in. (2.5 mm)

Hull typeModified Vee

Hull typeDeep Vee

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel typeGas

Drive typeOutboard

Engine max10 hp (7 kW)

Engine max150 hp (111 kW) 9.9 hp (7.5 kW) Kicker motor

Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Detail38 gal. (144 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Litersnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Liters143.85

Fuel tank capacity - Galnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Gal38

Operational Info

Maximum capacity602 lbs. (273 kg)

Maximum capacity1,759 lbs. (798 kg)

Maximum people3 / 400 lbs. (181 kg)

Maximum people7 / 1,115 lbs. (506 kg)

Trailer Info

Trailer - Length over all18 ft. (5.49 m)

Trailer - Length over all22 ft. 7 in. (6.9 m) with tongue in

Trailer - Detailnot available

Trailer - DetailPainted bunk trailer

Trailer - Widthnot available

Trailer - Width102 in. (2.59 m)

Lowe A1257 2011 vs Lowe FM185 2011 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Lowe A1257 2011 or the Lowe FM185 2011?

The Lowe FM185 2011 is the longer of the two at 18,3 feet overall. The Lowe A1257 2011 comes in at 12,1 feet, making it roughly 6,2 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which is easier to trailer — the Lowe A1257 2011 or the Lowe FM185 2011?

For trailering, the Lowe FM185 2011 has the edge at 121 lbs dry weight versus 128 lbs for the Lowe A1257 2011. 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 FM185 2011 is rated to a maximum of 150 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Lowe A1257 2011 tops out at 10 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 A1257 2011 is Coast Guard rated for 3 passengers, while the Lowe FM185 2011 is certified for 7. 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 FM185 2011 measures 95" wide, compared to 57" for the Lowe A1257 2011. 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 A1257 2011 and Lowe FM185 2011 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Lowe A1257 2011 and the Lowe FM185 2011 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.

← Lowe A1257 2011 full specs ← Lowe FM185 2011 full specs