Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Lowe FM175DC 2011 vs Lowe R1860CJ 2010 — Same Brand, Different Boat
Matching a deep vee Lowe FM175DC 2011 against a modified vee Lowe R1860CJ 2010 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.
On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Lowe FM175DC 2011 at 17,3 ft versus Lowe R1860CJ 2010 at 18,4 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Lowe R1860CJ 2010 tips the scales at 962 lbs — 849 lbs less than the Lowe FM175DC 2011 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 2011 has a 25-hp advantage over the Lowe R1860CJ 2010's 90-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 R1860CJ 2010 is rated for 7 passengers, while the Lowe FM175DC 2011 caps at 6. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Lowe R1860CJ 2010 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Lowe R1860CJ 2010 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 7 passengers and at 18,4 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Lowe FM175DC 2011 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
Model Year2011
Model Year201
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam92 in. (2.33 m)
Beam83.5 in. (2.12 m)
Beam - Meters2.34
Beam - Meters2.13
Beam - Inches92
Beam - Inches83.5
Weight - Detail1,130 lbs. (512 kg)
Weight - Detail962 lbs. (436 kg)
Weight - kg512.56
Weight - kg436.36
Weight - lbs.113
Weight - lbs.962
Width [transom] - Detail80 in. (2 m) bottom
Width [transom] - DetailBottom Width: 60 in. (1.52 m)
Height - Detail40 in. (1.01 m) bow
Height - Detailnot available
Height - Meters1.02
Height - Metersnot available
Height - Inches4
Height - Inchesnot available
Height [transom]25 in. (0.64 m)
Height [transom]20 in. (0.51 m)
Length - Feet17.25
Length - Feet18.42
Length overall - Detail17 ft. 3 in. (5.25 m)
Length overall - Detail18 ft. 5 in. (5.61 m)
Length overall - Meters5.26
Length overall - Meters5.61
Length overall - Inches207
Length overall - Inches221
Depth - Detailnot available
Depth - Detail25 in. (0.64 m)
Depth - Centimetersnot available
Depth - Centimeters63.5
Depth - Inchesnot available
Depth - Inches25
Body / Hull
Hull materialAluminum
Hull materialAluminum
Hull thickness0.100 in. (2.5 mm)
Hull thickness0.110 in. (2.8 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
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typenot available
Engine max115 hp (86 kW) 9.9 hp (7.5 kW) Kicker motor
Engine max90 hp (67 kW)
Operational Info
Maximum capacity1,600 lbs. (726 kg)
Maximum capacity1,680 lbs. (762 kg)
Maximum people6 / 960 lbs. (435 kg)
Maximum people7 / 1,078 lbs. (489 kg)
Trailer Info
Trailer - DetailPainted bunk trailer
Trailer - DetailPainted bunk trailer with swing tongue
Trailer - Length over all20 ft. 11 in. (6.4 m)
Trailer - Length over all21 ft. 2 in. (6.45 m)
Trailer - Width102 in. (2.59 m)
Trailer - Widthnot available