Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Lowe FM185 2010 vs Lowe Platinum 25 RFL 2013 — Same Brand, Different Boat
Matching a deep vee Lowe FM185 2010 against a pontoon Lowe Platinum 25 RFL 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.
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Lowe Platinum 25 RFL 2013 measures 25,0 feet overall (2013), giving it roughly 6,8 additional feet of deck space compared to the Lowe FM185 2010 at 18,3 feet (2010). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Lowe Platinum 25 RFL 2013 tips the scales at 342 lbs — 221 lbs less than the Lowe FM185 2010 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.
Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling — 150 hp for the Lowe FM185 2010 and 150 hp for the Lowe Platinum 25 RFL 2013. Real-world performance will come down more to which motor is actually bolted on, its load at the time, and whether it's a 4-stroke or 2-stroke setup. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Lowe FM185 2010 carries 38 gallons versus 22 gallons in the Lowe Platinum 25 RFL 2013. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Lowe Platinum 25 RFL 2013 is rated for 13 passengers, while the Lowe FM185 2010 caps at 7. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Lowe Platinum 25 RFL 2013 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Lowe Platinum 25 RFL 2013 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 13 passengers and at 25,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Lowe FM185 2010 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
ModelFM185
ModelPlatinum 25 RFL
Model Year201
Model Year2013
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam95 in. (2.41 m)
Beam102 in. (2.5 m)
Beam - Meters2.41
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Inches95
Beam - Inches102
Weight - Detail1,210 lbs. (549 kg)
Weight - Detail3,095 lbs. (1,403 kg) / 3,420 lbs. (1,551 kg)
Weight - kg548.85
Weight - kg1551.28
Weight - lbs.121
Weight - lbs.342
Width [transom] - DetailBottom Width: 83 in. (2.1 m)
Width [transom] - Detailnot available
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]not available
Length - Feet18.25
Length - Feet25
Length overall - Detail18 ft. 3 in. (5.56 m)
Length overall - Detailnot available
Length overall - Meters5.56
Length overall - Metersnot available
Length overall - Inches219
Length overall - Inchesnot available
Length [at waterline]not available
Length [at waterline]24 ft. (7.32 m) pontoon log
Length [deck]not available
Length [deck]25 ft. (7.62 m)
Body / Hull
Hull materialAluminum
Hull materialAluminum
Hull thickness0.100 in. (2.5 mm)
Hull thicknessnot available
Hull typeDeep Vee
Hull typePontoon
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail38 gal. (144 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail22 gal. (91 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters143.85
Fuel tank capacity - Liters83.28
Fuel tank capacity - Gal38
Fuel tank capacity - Gal22
Engine max150 hp (111 kW)
Engine max150 hp (112 kW)
Drive typenot available
Drive typeOutboard
Operational Info
Maximum capacity1,759 lbs. (798 kg)
Maximum capacity2,365 lbs. (1,072 kg)
Maximum people7 / 1,115 lbs. (798 kg)
Maximum people13 / 1,703 lbs. (772 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
Pontoon and Inflatable Specific
Tube diameternot available
Tube diameter25 in. (0.64 m)
Tube gaugenot available
Tube gauge0.080 in. (2.03 mm)
Number of tubesnot available
Number of tubes2