When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Lowe FM175DC 2009 and the Lowe FS185 2012 are deep vee designs with aluminum construction — the buying decision usually comes down to a handful of practical questions: how many people are you putting on the water, how far do you trailer, and what does your tow vehicle weigh?

On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Lowe FM175DC 2009 at 17,0 ft versus Lowe FS185 2012 at 18,3 ft. At 113 lbs and 135 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 FS185 2012 has a 35-hp advantage over the Lowe FM175DC 2009'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 FS185 2012 carries 38 gallons versus 27 gallons in the Lowe FM175DC 2009. 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 FS185 2012 is rated for 7 passengers, while the Lowe FM175DC 2009 caps at 6. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Lowe FS185 2012 could be the deciding factor.