The Lowe A160S 2012 vs Lowe L1852MT Jon Boat 2007 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.
On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Lowe A160S 2012 at 16,1 ft versus Lowe L1852MT Jon Boat 2007 at 18,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Lowe A160S 2012 tips the scales at 711 lbs — 236 lbs more than the Lowe L1852MT Jon Boat 2007 at 475 lbs. That difference is meaningful if you're working within a half-ton or three-quarter-ton truck's tow rating, especially once you factor in a motor, gear, and fuel.
Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling — 50 hp for the Lowe A160S 2012 and 45 hp for the Lowe L1852MT Jon Boat 2007. Real-world performance will come down more to which motor is actually bolted on, its load at the time, and whether it's a 4-stroke or 2-stroke setup.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Lowe L1852MT Jon Boat 2007 is rated for 6 passengers, while the Lowe A160S 2012 caps at 5. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Lowe L1852MT Jon Boat 2007 could be the deciding factor.
At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Lowe L1852MT Jon Boat 2007 comes in at 11 lbs per hp versus 14 lbs per hp for the Lowe A160S 2012. 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 L1852MT Jon Boat 2007 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 6 passengers and at 18,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Lowe A160S 2012 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 5 that costs less to run day-to-day.