Matching a deep vee Lowe FM185 2009 against a modified vee Lowe Frontier 1860 2013 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 FM185 2009 at 18,0 ft versus Lowe Frontier 1860 2013 at 18,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Lowe Frontier 1860 2013 tips the scales at 601 lbs — 480 lbs less than the Lowe FM185 2009 at 121 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 2009 has a 90-hp advantage over the Lowe Frontier 1860 2013'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 FM185 2009 is rated for 7 passengers, while the Lowe Frontier 1860 2013 caps at 6. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Lowe FM185 2009 could be the deciding factor.

At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Lowe FM185 2009 comes in at 1 lbs per hp versus 10 lbs per hp for the Lowe Frontier 1860 2013. 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.