Lowe FM175S 2006 vs Lowe R1860 2011 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Lowe FM175S 2006 or the Lowe R1860 2011?

The Lowe R1860 2011 is the longer of the two at 18,4 feet overall. The Lowe FM175S 2006 comes in at 17,0 feet, making it roughly 1,4 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Lowe FM175S 2006 or the Lowe R1860 2011?

For trailering, the Lowe R1860 2011 has the edge at 85 lbs dry weight versus 113 lbs for the Lowe FM175S 2006. Add a motor (typically 300–500 lbs for an outboard in this class), gear, and a partial fuel load and the difference grows. Lighter is friendlier on smaller tow vehicles and on fuel economy while hauling.

Q: Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Lowe FM175S 2006 is rated to a maximum of 115 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Lowe R1860 2011 tops out at 60 hp. Keep in mind that maximum ratings are just that — matching the motor to the actual load and usage pattern usually matters more than chasing the ceiling.

Q: How many people can each boat hold?

The Lowe FM175S 2006 is Coast Guard rated for 6 passengers, while the Lowe R1860 2011 is certified for 7. Note that legal capacity and comfortable capacity aren't always the same thing — on a full day out, most experienced boaters aim for about 80% of the rated number to keep things comfortable.

Q: Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Lowe FM175S 2006 measures 92" wide, compared to 84" for the Lowe R1860 2011. The US standard-width towing limit is 8’6" (102") in most states — anything over that may need a wide-load permit. Confirm your specific route requirements with each state's DOT.

Q: Are the Lowe FM175S 2006 and Lowe R1860 2011 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Lowe FM175S 2006 and the Lowe R1860 2011 are built by Lowe. That means shared dealer networks, common parts availability, and consistent build quality across the line. The choice between them is essentially a question of how much boat you need, not which brand you trust.

Boat Comparison

Lowe FM175S 2006 vs Lowe R1860 2011

Lowe

Lowe FM175S 2006

2006

View full specs →

Lowe

Lowe R1860 2011

2011

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Lowe FM175S 2006 vs Lowe R1860 2011 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Lowe FM175S 2006 vs Lowe R1860 2011 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 FM175S 2006 at 17,0 ft versus Lowe R1860 2011 at 18,4 ft. At 113 lbs and 85 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 115 hp, the Lowe FM175S 2006 has a 55-hp advantage over the Lowe R1860 2011'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 R1860 2011 is rated for 7 passengers, while the Lowe FM175S 2006 caps at 6. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Lowe R1860 2011 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Lowe R1860 2011 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 FM175S 2006 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

MakeLowe

ModelFM175S

ModelR186

Model Year2006

Model Year2011

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 - Detail850 lbs. (386 kg)

Weight - kg512.56

Weight - kg385.55

Weight - lbs.113

Weight - lbs.85

Width [transom] - Detail80 in. (2 m)

Width [transom] - Detail60 in. (1.52 m) bottom

Height - Detail40 in. (1 m)

Height - Detailnot available

Height - Meters1.02

Height - Metersnot available

Height - Inches4

Height - Inchesnot available

Height [transom]20 in. (.53 m)

Height [transom]20 in. (0.51 m)

Length - Meters5.25

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Feet17

Length - Feet18.42

Length - Inches3

Length - Inchesnot available

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 thickness.100 in. (2.5 mm)

Hull thickness0.110 in. (2.8 mm)

Hull materialnot available

Hull materialAluminum

Hull typenot available

Hull typeModified Vee

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail27 gal. (102 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

Fuel typeGas

Drive typeOutboard

Engine max115 hp (86 kW)

Engine max60 hp (45 kW)

Operational Info

Maximum capacity1,600 lbs. (726 kg)

Maximum capacity1,680 lbs. (762 kg)

Maximum people6

Maximum people7 / 1,078 lbs. (489 kg)

Trailer Info

Trailer - DetailLB-2600-80BL - painted bunk trailer with swing tongue (12 in.)

Trailer - Detailnot available

Trailer - Length over all20 ft. 11 in. (6.4 m)

Trailer - Length over all21 ft. 2 in. (6.45 m)

Trailer - Width102 in

Trailer - Widthnot available

Lowe FM175S 2006 vs Lowe R1860 2011 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Lowe FM175S 2006 or the Lowe R1860 2011?

The Lowe R1860 2011 is the longer of the two at 18,4 feet overall. The Lowe FM175S 2006 comes in at 17,0 feet, making it roughly 1,4 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which is easier to trailer — the Lowe FM175S 2006 or the Lowe R1860 2011?

For trailering, the Lowe R1860 2011 has the edge at 85 lbs dry weight versus 113 lbs for the Lowe FM175S 2006. Add a motor (typically 300–500 lbs for an outboard in this class), gear, and a partial fuel load and the difference grows. Lighter is friendlier on smaller tow vehicles and on fuel economy while hauling.

Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Lowe FM175S 2006 is rated to a maximum of 115 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Lowe R1860 2011 tops out at 60 hp. Keep in mind that maximum ratings are just that — matching the motor to the actual load and usage pattern usually matters more than chasing the ceiling.

How many people can each boat hold?

The Lowe FM175S 2006 is Coast Guard rated for 6 passengers, while the Lowe R1860 2011 is certified for 7. Note that legal capacity and comfortable capacity aren't always the same thing — on a full day out, most experienced boaters aim for about 80% of the rated number to keep things comfortable.

Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Lowe FM175S 2006 measures 92" wide, compared to 84" for the Lowe R1860 2011. The US standard-width towing limit is 8’6" (102") in most states — anything over that may need a wide-load permit. Confirm your specific route requirements with each state's DOT.

Are the Lowe FM175S 2006 and Lowe R1860 2011 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Lowe FM175S 2006 and the Lowe R1860 2011 are built by Lowe. That means shared dealer networks, common parts availability, and consistent build quality across the line. The choice between them is essentially a question of how much boat you need, not which brand you trust.

← Lowe FM175S 2006 full specs ← Lowe R1860 2011 full specs