Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Lowe FM185 Pro WT 2013 vs Lowe R1756VT 2005 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The Lowe FM185 Pro WT 2013 vs Lowe R1756VT 2005 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 FM185 Pro WT 2013 at 18,4 ft versus Lowe R1756VT 2005 at 17,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Lowe R1756VT 2005 tips the scales at 545 lbs — 528 lbs less than the Lowe FM185 Pro WT 2013 at 17 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 150 hp, the Lowe FM185 Pro WT 2013 has a 70-hp advantage over the Lowe R1756VT 2005's 80-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 FM185 Pro WT 2013 is rated for 7 passengers, while the Lowe R1756VT 2005 caps at 4. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Lowe FM185 Pro WT 2013 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Lowe FM185 Pro WT 2013 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 R1756VT 2005 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
ModelFM185 Pro WT
ModelR1756VT
Model Year2013
Model Year2005
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam96 in. (2.44 m)
Beam77 in. (2.03 m)
Beam - Meters2.44
Beam - Meters1.96
Beam - Inches96
Beam - Inches77
Weight - Detail1,700 lbs. (771.1 kg)
Weight - Detail545 lbs. (247 kg)
Weight - kg771.11
Weight - kg247.21
Weight - lbs.17
Weight - lbs.545
Width [transom] - Detail83 in. (2.11 m) bottom
Width [transom] - Detail56 in. (1.42 m)
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. (.50 m)
Length - Feet18.42
Length - Feet17
Length overall - Detail18 ft. 5 in. (5.61 m)
Length overall - Detail17 ft. 0 in. (5.18 m)
Length overall - Meters5.61
Length overall - Meters5.18
Length overall - Inches221
Length overall - Inches204
Depth - Detailnot available
Depth - Detail21 in. (.53 m)
Depth - Centimetersnot available
Depth - Centimeters53.34
Depth - Inchesnot available
Depth - Inches21
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Meters5.18
Body / Hull
Hull materialAluminum
Hull materialnot available
Hull thickness0.100 in. (2.5 mm)
Hull thickness.100 in. (.25 cm)
Hull typeDeep Vee
Hull typenot available
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail38 gal. (144 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Liters143.85
Fuel tank capacity - Litersnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Gal38
Fuel tank capacity - Galnot available
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typenot available
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeOutboard
Engine max150 hp (111 kW) 9.9 hp (7.4 kW) Kicker motor
Engine max80 / 50* hp (*Remote Tiller) (60 / 37 kw)
Operational Info
Maximum capacity1,759 lbs. (798 kg)
Maximum capacity1,175 lbs. (533 kg)
Maximum people7 / 1,115 lbs. (506 kg)
Maximum people4
Trailer Info
Trailer - Width102 in. (2.59 m)
Trailer - Widthnot available