Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Lowe FM185 2010 vs Lowe SD224 2012 — Same Brand, Different Boat
Matching a deep vee Lowe FM185 2010 against a modified vee Lowe SD224 2012 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 SD224 2012 measures 22,0 feet overall (2012), giving it roughly 3,8 additional feet of deck space compared to the Lowe FM185 2010 at 18,3 feet (2010). At 121 lbs and 218 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 175 hp, the Lowe SD224 2012 has a 25-hp advantage over the Lowe FM185 2010's 150-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Both carry nearly identical fuel loads — 38 gal and 38 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Lowe SD224 2012 is rated for 12 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 SD224 2012 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Lowe SD224 2012 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 12 passengers and at 22,0 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
Model Year201
Model Year2012
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam95 in. (2.41 m)
Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.5 m)
Beam - Meters2.41
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Inches95
Beam - Inches102
Weight - Detail1,210 lbs. (549 kg)
Weight - Detail2,180 lbs. (988 kg)
Weight - kg548.85
Weight - kg988.83
Weight - lbs.121
Weight - lbs.218
Width [transom] - DetailBottom Width: 83 in. (2.1 m)
Width [transom] - Detail85 in. (2.15 m) bottom
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. (0.5 m)
Length - Feet18.25
Length - Feet22
Length overall - Detail18 ft. 3 in. (5.56 m)
Length overall - Detail22 ft. (6.7 m)
Length overall - Meters5.56
Length overall - Meters6.71
Length overall - Inches219
Length overall - Inches264
Body / Hull
Hull materialAluminum
Hull materialAluminum
Hull thickness0.100 in. (2.5 mm)
Hull thickness0.110 in. (2.79 mm)
Hull typeDeep Vee
Hull typeModified Vee
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail38 gal. (144 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail38 gal. (144 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters143.85
Fuel tank capacity - Liters143.85
Fuel tank capacity - Gal38
Fuel tank capacity - Gal38
Engine max150 hp (111 kW)
Engine max175 hp (130 kW)
Drive typenot available
Drive typeOutboard
Operational Info
Maximum capacity1,759 lbs. (798 kg)
Maximum capacity2,404 lbs. (1,090 kg)
Maximum people7 / 1,115 lbs. (798 kg)
Maximum people12 / 1,660 lbs. (753 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