Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Lowe FM185 2010 vs Lowe R1756VT 2005 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The Lowe FM185 2010 vs Lowe R1756VT 2005 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 R1756VT 2005 at 17,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Lowe R1756VT 2005 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 70-hp advantage over the Lowe R1756VT 2005's 80-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 R1756VT 2005 caps at 4. 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 R1756VT 2005 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 4 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
Model Year201
Model Year2005
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam95 in. (2.41 m)
Beam77 in. (2.03 m)
Beam - Meters2.41
Beam - Meters1.96
Beam - Inches95
Beam - Inches77
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] - Detail56 in. (1.42 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. (.50 m)
Length - Feet18.25
Length - Feet17
Length overall - Detail18 ft. 3 in. (5.56 m)
Length overall - Detail17 ft. 0 in. (5.18 m)
Length overall - Meters5.56
Length overall - Meters5.18
Length overall - Inches219
Length overall - Inches204
Depth - Detailnot available
Depth - Detail21 in. (.53 m)
Depth - Centimetersnot available
Depth - Centimeters53.34
Depth - Inchesnot available
Depth - Inches21
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Meters5.18
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
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typenot available
Engine max150 hp (111 kW)
Engine max80 / 50* hp (*Remote Tiller) (60 / 37 kw)
Drive typenot available
Drive typeOutboard
Operational Info
Maximum capacity1,759 lbs. (798 kg)
Maximum capacity1,175 lbs. (533 kg)
Maximum people7 / 1,115 lbs. (798 kg)
Maximum people4
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