Lowe FM185 2009 vs Lowe R1965SC 2009 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Lowe FM185 2009 or the Lowe R1965SC 2009?

The Lowe R1965SC 2009 is the longer of the two at 19,0 feet overall. The Lowe FM185 2009 comes in at 18,0 feet, making it roughly 1,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Lowe FM185 2009 or the Lowe R1965SC 2009?

For trailering, the Lowe R1965SC 2009 has the edge at 111 lbs dry weight versus 121 lbs for the Lowe FM185 2009. 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 FM185 2009 is rated to a maximum of 150 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Lowe R1965SC 2009 tops out at 115 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 2009 is Coast Guard rated for 7 passengers, while the Lowe R1965SC 2009 is certified for 8. 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 FM185 2009 measures 95" wide, compared to 88" for the Lowe R1965SC 2009. 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 FM185 2009 and Lowe R1965SC 2009 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Lowe FM185 2009 and the Lowe R1965SC 2009 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 2009 vs Lowe R1965SC 2009

Lowe

Lowe FM185 2009

2009

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Lowe

Lowe R1965SC 2009

2009

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Lowe FM185 2009 vs Lowe R1965SC 2009 — Same Brand, Different Boat

Matching a deep vee Lowe FM185 2009 against a modified vee Lowe R1965SC 2009 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 R1965SC 2009 at 19,0 ft. At 121 lbs and 111 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 150 hp, the Lowe FM185 2009 has a 35-hp advantage over the Lowe R1965SC 2009's 115-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 R1965SC 2009 is rated for 8 passengers, while the Lowe FM185 2009 caps at 7. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Lowe R1965SC 2009 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Lowe R1965SC 2009 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 8 passengers and at 19,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Lowe FM185 2009 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

ModelR1965SC

Model Year2009

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam95 in. (2.41 m)

Beam88 in. (2.24 m)

Beam - Meters2.41

Beam - Meters2.24

Beam - Inches95

Beam - Inches88

Weight - Detail1,210 lbs. (549 kg)

Weight - Detail1,110 lbs. (503 kg)

Weight - kg548.85

Weight - kg503.49

Weight - lbs.121

Weight - lbs.111

Height [transom]20 in. (0.5 m)

Height [transom]20 in. (0.51 m)

Length - Meters5.56

Length - Meters6.02

Length - Feet18

Length - Feet19

Length - Inches3

Length - Inches9

Length overall - Detail18 ft. 3 in. (5.56 m)

Length overall - Detail19 ft. 9 in. (6.02 m)

Length overall - Meters5.56

Length overall - Meters6.02

Length overall - Inches219

Length overall - Inches237

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 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 - 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

Engine max150 hp (111 kw)

Engine max115 hp (86 kg)

Operational Info

Maximum capacity1,759 lbs. (798 kg)

Maximum capacity1,898 lbs. (861 kg)

Maximum people7 / 1,115 lbs. (798 kg)

Maximum people8 / 1,258 lbs. (571 kg)

Trailer Info

Trailer - DetailPainted bunk trailer with swing tongue

Trailer - Length over all22 ft. 7 in. (6.9 m) with tongue in

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

Trailer - Width102 in. (2.59 m)

Trailer - Widthnot available

Lowe FM185 2009 vs Lowe R1965SC 2009 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Lowe FM185 2009 or the Lowe R1965SC 2009?

The Lowe R1965SC 2009 is the longer of the two at 19,0 feet overall. The Lowe FM185 2009 comes in at 18,0 feet, making it roughly 1,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which is easier to trailer — the Lowe FM185 2009 or the Lowe R1965SC 2009?

For trailering, the Lowe R1965SC 2009 has the edge at 111 lbs dry weight versus 121 lbs for the Lowe FM185 2009. 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 FM185 2009 is rated to a maximum of 150 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Lowe R1965SC 2009 tops out at 115 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 2009 is Coast Guard rated for 7 passengers, while the Lowe R1965SC 2009 is certified for 8. 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 FM185 2009 measures 95" wide, compared to 88" for the Lowe R1965SC 2009. 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 FM185 2009 and Lowe R1965SC 2009 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Lowe FM185 2009 and the Lowe R1965SC 2009 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 2009 full specs ← Lowe R1965SC 2009 full specs