Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Lowe FM175 Pro WT 2013 vs Lowe FM185S Fishing Machine 2007 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The Lowe FM175 Pro WT 2013 vs Lowe FM185S Fishing Machine 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 FM175 Pro WT 2013 at 17,4 ft versus Lowe FM185S Fishing Machine 2007 at 18,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Lowe FM175 Pro WT 2013 tips the scales at 1 446 lbs — 1 325 lbs more than the Lowe FM185S Fishing Machine 2007 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.
Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling — 150 hp for the Lowe FM175 Pro WT 2013 and 150 hp for the Lowe FM185S Fishing Machine 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. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Lowe FM185S Fishing Machine 2007 carries 38 gallons versus 26 gallons in the Lowe FM175 Pro WT 2013. 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 FM185S Fishing Machine 2007 is rated for 7 passengers, while the Lowe FM175 Pro WT 2013 caps at 6. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Lowe FM185S Fishing Machine 2007 could be the deciding factor.
At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Lowe FM185S Fishing Machine 2007 comes in at 1 lbs per hp versus 10 lbs per hp for the Lowe FM175 Pro WT 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 FM185S Fishing Machine 2007 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 FM175 Pro WT 2013 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 6 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
ModelFM175 Pro WT
ModelFM185S Fishing Machine
Model Year2013
Model Year2007
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam96 in. (2.44 m)
Beam95 in. (2.41 m)
Beam - Meters2.44
Beam - Meters2.41
Beam - Inches96
Beam - Inches95
Weight - Detail1,446 lbs. (655.9 kg)
Weight - Detail1,210 lbs. (549 kg)
Weight - kg655.89
Weight - kg548.85
Weight - lbs.1446
Weight - lbs.121
Width [transom] - Detail84 in. (2.13 m) bottom
Width [transom] - Detail83 in. (2.1 m)
Height - Detail40 in. (1.02 m) bow
Height - Detail41 in. (1 m)
Height - Meters1.02
Height - Meters1.04
Height - Inches4
Height - Inches41
Height [transom]25 in. (0.64 m)
Height [transom]20 in. (.53 m)
Length - Feet17.42
Length - Feet18
Length overall - Detail17 ft. 5 in. (5.31 m)
Length overall - Detail18 ft. 3 in. (5.56 m)
Length overall - Meters5.31
Length overall - Meters5.56
Length overall - Inches209
Length overall - Inches219
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Meters5.56
Length - Inchesnot available
Length - Inches3
Body / Hull
Hull materialAluminum
Hull materialnot available
Hull thickness0.100 in. (2.5 mm)
Hull thickness.100 in. (2.5 mm)
Hull typeDeep Vee
Hull typenot available
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail26 gal. (98.42 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail38 gal. (144 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters98.42
Fuel tank capacity - Liters143.85
Fuel tank capacity - Gal26
Fuel tank capacity - Gal38
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeOutboard
Engine max150 hp (111 kW)
Engine max150 hp (111 kW)
Operational Info
Maximum capacity1,600 lbs. (726 kg)
Maximum capacity1,759 lbs. (798 kg)
Maximum people6 / 960 lbs. (435 kg)
Maximum people7
Trailer Info
Trailer - Width102 in. (2.59 m)
Trailer - Width102 in
Trailer - Detailnot available
Trailer - DetailLB-3050-82-SB-BL - painted bunk trailer w/ brakes
Trailer - Length over allnot available
Trailer - Length over allTongue in: 22 ft. 7 in. (6.9 m)