Lowe FM185 Pro WT 2012 vs Lowe SD224 2012 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Lowe FM185 Pro WT 2012 or the Lowe SD224 2012?

The Lowe SD224 2012 is the longer of the two at 22,0 feet overall. The Lowe FM185 Pro WT 2012 comes in at 18,4 feet, making it roughly 3,6 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Lowe FM185 Pro WT 2012 or the Lowe SD224 2012?

For trailering, the Lowe FM185 Pro WT 2012 has the edge at 121 lbs dry weight versus 218 lbs for the Lowe SD224 2012. 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 SD224 2012 is rated to a maximum of 175 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Lowe FM185 Pro WT 2012 tops out at 150 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 FM185 Pro WT 2012 is Coast Guard rated for 7 passengers, while the Lowe SD224 2012 is certified for 12. 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 SD224 2012 measures 102" wide, compared to 95" for the Lowe FM185 Pro WT 2012. 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: How do the fuel tanks compare on the Lowe FM185 Pro WT 2012 and Lowe SD224 2012?

Both boats carry similar fuel loads — 38 gallons and 38 gallons respectively. Range will depend heavily on motor choice, throttle usage, and whether you're on flat lake water or coastal chop.

Q: Are the Lowe FM185 Pro WT 2012 and Lowe SD224 2012 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Lowe FM185 Pro WT 2012 and the Lowe SD224 2012 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 FM185 Pro WT 2012 vs Lowe SD224 2012

Lowe

Lowe FM185 Pro WT 2012

2012

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Lowe

Lowe SD224 2012

2012

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Lowe FM185 Pro WT 2012 vs Lowe SD224 2012 — Same Brand, Different Boat

Matching a deep vee Lowe FM185 Pro WT 2012 against a modified vee Lowe SD224 2012 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 SD224 2012 measures 22,0 feet overall (2012), giving it roughly 3,6 additional feet of deck space compared to the Lowe FM185 Pro WT 2012 at 18,4 feet (2012). At 121 lbs and 218 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 175 hp, the Lowe SD224 2012 has a 25-hp advantage over the Lowe FM185 Pro WT 2012's 150-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Both carry nearly identical fuel loads — 38 gal and 38 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Lowe SD224 2012 is rated for 12 passengers, while the Lowe FM185 Pro WT 2012 caps at 7. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Lowe SD224 2012 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Lowe SD224 2012 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 12 passengers and at 22,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Lowe FM185 Pro WT 2012 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 7 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeLowe

ModelFM185 Pro WT

ModelSD224

Model Year2012

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam95 in. (2.41 m)

Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.5 m)

Beam - Meters2.41

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Inches95

Beam - Inches102

Weight - Detail1,210 lbs. (549 kg)

Weight - Detail2,180 lbs. (988 kg)

Weight - kg548.85

Weight - kg988.83

Weight - lbs.121

Weight - lbs.218

Width [transom] - Detail83 in. (2.11 m) bottom

Width [transom] - Detail85 in. (2.15 m) bottom

Height - Detail41 in. (1.04 m) bow

Height - Detailnot available

Height - Meters1.04

Height - Metersnot available

Height - Inches41

Height - Inchesnot available

Height [transom]25 in. (0.64 m)

Height [transom]20 in. (0.5 m)

Length - Feet18.42

Length - Feet22

Length overall - Detail18 ft. 5 in. (5.61 m)

Length overall - Detail22 ft. (6.7 m)

Length overall - Meters5.61

Length overall - Meters6.71

Length overall - Inches221

Length overall - Inches264

Body / Hull

Hull materialAluminum

Hull thickness0.100 in. (2.5 mm)

Hull thickness0.110 in. (2.79 mm)

Hull typeDeep Vee

Hull typeModified Vee

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail38 gal. (144 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters143.85

Fuel tank capacity - Gal38

Fuel typeGas

Drive typeOutboard

Engine max150 hp (111 kW) 9.9 hp (7.4 kW) Kicker motor

Engine max175 hp (130 kW)

Operational Info

Maximum capacity1,759 lbs. (798 kg)

Maximum capacity2,404 lbs. (1,090 kg)

Maximum people7 / 1,115 lbs. (506 kg)

Maximum people12 / 1,660 lbs. (753 kg)

Trailer Info

Trailer - Width102 in. (2.59 m)

Trailer - Widthnot available

Lowe FM185 Pro WT 2012 vs Lowe SD224 2012 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Lowe FM185 Pro WT 2012 or the Lowe SD224 2012?

The Lowe SD224 2012 is the longer of the two at 22,0 feet overall. The Lowe FM185 Pro WT 2012 comes in at 18,4 feet, making it roughly 3,6 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which is easier to trailer — the Lowe FM185 Pro WT 2012 or the Lowe SD224 2012?

For trailering, the Lowe FM185 Pro WT 2012 has the edge at 121 lbs dry weight versus 218 lbs for the Lowe SD224 2012. 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 SD224 2012 is rated to a maximum of 175 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Lowe FM185 Pro WT 2012 tops out at 150 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 FM185 Pro WT 2012 is Coast Guard rated for 7 passengers, while the Lowe SD224 2012 is certified for 12. 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 SD224 2012 measures 102" wide, compared to 95" for the Lowe FM185 Pro WT 2012. 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.

How do the fuel tanks compare on the Lowe FM185 Pro WT 2012 and Lowe SD224 2012?

Both boats carry similar fuel loads — 38 gallons and 38 gallons respectively. Range will depend heavily on motor choice, throttle usage, and whether you're on flat lake water or coastal chop.

Are the Lowe FM185 Pro WT 2012 and Lowe SD224 2012 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Lowe FM185 Pro WT 2012 and the Lowe SD224 2012 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 FM185 Pro WT 2012 full specs ← Lowe SD224 2012 full specs