Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Lowe FM175DC 2010 vs Lowe L1448MT Jon Boat 2008 — Same Brand, Different Boat
Matching a deep vee Lowe FM175DC 2010 against a modified vee Lowe L1448MT Jon Boat 2008 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 FM175DC 2010 measures 17,3 feet overall (2010), giving it roughly 3,3 additional feet of deck space compared to the Lowe L1448MT Jon Boat 2008 at 14,0 feet (2008). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Lowe L1448MT Jon Boat 2008 tips the scales at 365 lbs — 252 lbs less than the Lowe FM175DC 2010 at 113 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 115 hp, the Lowe FM175DC 2010 has a 90-hp advantage over the Lowe L1448MT Jon Boat 2008's 25-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 FM175DC 2010 is rated for 6 passengers, while the Lowe L1448MT Jon Boat 2008 caps at 4. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Lowe FM175DC 2010 could be the deciding factor.
At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Lowe FM175DC 2010 comes in at 1 lbs per hp versus 15 lbs per hp for the Lowe L1448MT Jon Boat 2008. 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 FM175DC 2010 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 6 passengers and at 17,3 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Lowe L1448MT Jon Boat 2008 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 4 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
ModelFM175DC
ModelL1448MT Jon Boat
Model Year201
Model Year2008
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam92 in. (2.33 m)
Beam70 in. (1.77 m)
Beam - Meters2.34
Beam - Meters1.78
Beam - Inches92
Beam - Inches7
Weight - Detail1,130 lbs. (512 kg)
Weight - Detail365 lbs. (165 kg)
Weight - kg512.56
Weight - kg165.56
Weight - lbs.113
Weight - lbs.365
Width [transom] - DetailBottom Width: 80 in. (2 m)
Width [transom] - Detail48 in. (1.2 m)
Height - DetailBow Height: 40 in. (1.01 m)
Height - Detailnot available
Height - Meters1.02
Height - Metersnot available
Height - Inches4
Height - Inchesnot available
Height [transom]20 in. (0.5 m)
Height [transom]15 in. or 20 in. (.38 m or .5 m)
Length - Feet17.25
Length - Feet14
Length overall - Detail17 ft. 3 in. (5.25 m)
Length overall - Detail14 ft. (4.27 m)
Length overall - Meters5.26
Length overall - Meters4.27
Length overall - Inches207
Length overall - Inches168
Depth - Detailnot available
Depth - Detail21 in. (.53 m)
Depth - Centimetersnot available
Depth - Centimeters53.34
Depth - Inchesnot available
Depth - Inches21
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Meters4.27
Body / Hull
Hull materialAluminum
Hull materialAluminum
Hull thickness0.100 in. (2.5 mm)
Hull thickness.072 in. (1.83 mm)
Hull typeDeep Vee
Hull typeModified Vee
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail27 gal. (144 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Liters102.21
Fuel tank capacity - Litersnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Gal27
Fuel tank capacity - Galnot available
Engine max115 hp (86 kW)
Engine max25 hp (19 kW)
Drive typenot available
Drive typeOutboard
Operational Info
Maximum capacity1,600 lbs. (726 kg)
Maximum capacity825 lbs. (374 kg)
Maximum people6 / 960 lbs. (435 kg)
Maximum people4 / 500 lbs. (227 kg)
Trailer Info
Trailer - DetailPainted bunk trailer with swing tongue
Trailer - Detailnot available
Trailer - Length over all20 ft. 11 in. (6.4 m)
Trailer - Length over allnot available
Trailer - Width102 in. (2.59 m)
Trailer - Widthnot available