Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Lowe Fishfinder 165 2005 vs Lowe FM185DC 2010 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The Lowe Fishfinder 165 2005 vs Lowe FM185DC 2010 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 Fishfinder 165 2005 at 16,0 ft versus Lowe FM185DC 2010 at 18,3 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Lowe Fishfinder 165 2005 tips the scales at 515 lbs — 394 lbs more than the Lowe FM185DC 2010 at 121 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.
The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 150 hp, the Lowe FM185DC 2010 has a 90-hp advantage over the Lowe Fishfinder 165 2005's 60-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 FM185DC 2010 is rated for 7 passengers, while the Lowe Fishfinder 165 2005 caps at 5. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Lowe FM185DC 2010 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Lowe FM185DC 2010 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 Fishfinder 165 2005 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 5 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
ModelFishfinder 165
ModelFM185DC
Model Year2005
Model Year201
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam71 in. (1.80 m)
Beam95 in. (2.41 m)
Beam - Meters1.8
Beam - Meters2.41
Beam - Inches71
Beam - Inches95
Depth - Detail21 in. (.53 m)
Depth - Detailnot available
Depth - Centimeters53.34
Depth - Centimetersnot available
Depth - Inches21
Depth - Inchesnot available
Weight - Detail515 lbs. (233 kg)
Weight - Detail1,210 lbs. (549 kg)
Weight - kg233.6
Weight - kg548.85
Weight - lbs.515
Weight - lbs.121
Width [transom] - Detail48 in. (1.2 m)
Width [transom] - DetailBottom Width: 83 in. (2.1 m)
Height [transom]20 in. (.50 m)
Height [transom]20 in. (0.5 m)
Length - Meters4.88
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Feet16
Length - Feet18.25
Length overall - Detail16 ft. 0 in. (4.88 m)
Length overall - Detail18 ft. 3 in. (5.56 m)
Length overall - Meters4.88
Length overall - Meters5.56
Length overall - Inches192
Length overall - Inches219
Height - Detailnot available
Height - DetailBow Height: 41 in. (1.04 m)
Height - Metersnot available
Height - Meters1.04
Height - Inchesnot available
Height - Inches41
Body / Hull
Hull thickness.072 in. (1.8 mm)
Hull thickness0.100 in. (2.5 mm)
Hull materialnot available
Hull materialAluminum
Hull typenot available
Hull typeDeep Vee
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine/s standard40 hp Mercury Two-Stroke
Engine/s standardnot available
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typenot available
Engine max60 hp (44 kw)
Engine max150 hp (111 kW)
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
Fuel typenot available
Fuel typeGas
Operational Info
Maximum capacity1,166 lbs. (529 kg)
Maximum capacity1,759 lbs. (798 kg)
Maximum people5
Maximum people7 / 1,115 lbs. (506 kg)
Trailer Info
Trailer - DetailPainted Bunk Trailer
Trailer - DetailPainted bunk trailer with swing tongue
Trailer - Length over all20 ft. 0 in. (6.09 m)
Trailer - Length over all22 ft. 7 in. (6.9 m) with tongue in
Trailer - Widthnot available
Trailer - Width102 in. (2.59 m)