Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Lowe FM185 2010 vs Lowe L1032 Jon Boat 2008 — Same Brand, Different Boat
Matching a deep vee Lowe FM185 2010 against a flat Lowe L1032 Jon Boat 2008 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 FM185 2010 measures 18,3 feet overall (2010), giving it roughly 17,3 additional feet of deck space compared to the Lowe L1032 Jon Boat 2008 at 1,0 feet (2008). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Lowe FM185 2010 tips the scales at 121 lbs — 113 lbs more than the Lowe L1032 Jon Boat 2008 at 8 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 2010 has a 147-hp advantage over the Lowe L1032 Jon Boat 2008's 3-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 2010 is rated for 7 passengers, while the Lowe L1032 Jon Boat 2008 caps at 2. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Lowe FM185 2010 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Lowe FM185 2010 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 7 passengers and at 18,3 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Lowe L1032 Jon Boat 2008 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 2 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
ModelFM185
ModelL1032 Jon Boat
Model Year201
Model Year2008
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam95 in. (2.41 m)
Beam48 in. (1.21 m)
Beam - Meters2.41
Beam - Meters1.22
Beam - Inches95
Beam - Inches48
Weight - Detail1,210 lbs. (549 kg)
Weight - Detail80 lbs. (36 kg)
Weight - kg548.85
Weight - kg36.29
Weight - lbs.121
Weight - lbs.8
Width [transom] - DetailBottom Width: 83 in. (2.1 m)
Width [transom] - Detail32 in. (.81 m)
Height - DetailBow Height: 41 in. (1.04 m)
Height - Detailnot available
Height - Meters1.04
Height - Metersnot available
Height - Inches41
Height - Inchesnot available
Height [transom]20 in. (0.5 m)
Height [transom]15 in. (.38 m)
Length - Feet18.25
Length - Feet1
Length overall - Detail18 ft. 3 in. (5.56 m)
Length overall - Detail10 ft. (3.04 m)
Length overall - Meters5.56
Length overall - Meters3.05
Length overall - Inches219
Length overall - Inches12
Depth - Detailnot available
Depth - Detail16 in. (.41 m)
Depth - Centimetersnot available
Depth - Centimeters40.64
Depth - Inchesnot available
Depth - Inches16
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Meters3.04
Body / Hull
Hull materialAluminum
Hull materialAluminum
Hull thickness0.100 in. (2.5 mm)
Hull thickness.043 in. (1.09 mm)
Hull typeDeep Vee
Hull typeFlat
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
Engine max150 hp (111 kW)
Engine max3 hp (2 kW)
Drive typenot available
Drive typeOutboard
Operational Info
Maximum capacity1,759 lbs. (798 kg)
Maximum capacity275 lbs. (124 kg)
Maximum people7 / 1,115 lbs. (798 kg)
Maximum people2 / 180 lbs. (82 kg)
Trailer Info
Trailer - DetailPainted bunk trailer with swing tongue
Trailer - Detailnot available
Trailer - Length over all22 ft. 7 in. (6.9 m) with tongue in
Trailer - Length over allnot available
Trailer - Width102 in. (2.59 m)
Trailer - Widthnot available