Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Lowe FM185 2010 vs Lowe R1652VT Roughneck 2007 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The Lowe FM185 2010 vs Lowe R1652VT Roughneck 2007 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 2010 at 18,3 ft versus Lowe R1652VT Roughneck 2007 at 16,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Lowe R1652VT Roughneck 2007 tips the scales at 545 lbs — 424 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.
The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 150 hp, the Lowe FM185 2010 has a 90-hp advantage over the Lowe R1652VT Roughneck 2007'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 2010 is rated for 7 passengers, while the Lowe R1652VT Roughneck 2007 caps at 5. 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 R1652VT Roughneck 2007 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 5 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
ModelFM185
ModelR1652VT Roughneck
Model Year201
Model Year2007
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam95 in. (2.41 m)
Beam75 in. (1.9 m)
Beam - Meters2.41
Beam - Meters1.91
Beam - Inches95
Beam - Inches75
Weight - Detail1,210 lbs. (549 kg)
Weight - Detail545 lbs. (247 kg)
Weight - kg548.85
Weight - kg247.21
Weight - lbs.121
Weight - lbs.545
Width [transom] - DetailBottom Width: 83 in. (2.1 m)
Width [transom] - Detail52 in. (1.32 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]20 in. (.5 m)
Length - Feet18.25
Length - Feet16
Length overall - Detail18 ft. 3 in. (5.56 m)
Length overall - Detail16 ft. 0 in. (4.87 m)
Length overall - Meters5.56
Length overall - Meters4.88
Length overall - Inches219
Length overall - Inches192
Depth - Detailnot available
Depth - Detail21 in. (.53 m)
Depth - Centimetersnot available
Depth - Centimeters53.34
Depth - Inchesnot available
Depth - Inches21
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Meters4.87
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
Engine max150 hp (111 kW)
Engine maxRemote: 60 hp (45 kW) Tiller: 35 hp (26 kW)
Drive typenot available
Drive typeOutboard
Operational Info
Maximum capacity1,759 lbs. (798 kg)
Maximum capacity1,145 lbs. (519 kg)
Maximum people7 / 1,115 lbs. (798 kg)
Maximum people5
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