Lowe FM185 2010 boat specs
Lowe
Lowe FM185 2010
2010
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VS
Lowe Sea Nymph 1256 2006 boat specs
Lowe
Lowe Sea Nymph 1256 2006
2006
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Lowe FM185 2010 vs Lowe Sea Nymph 1256 2006 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Lowe FM185 2010 vs Lowe Sea Nymph 1256 2006 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.

Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Lowe FM185 2010 measures 18,3 feet overall (2010), giving it roughly 6,3 additional feet of deck space compared to the Lowe Sea Nymph 1256 2006 at 12,0 feet (2006). At 121 lbs and 104 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 150 hp, the Lowe FM185 2010 has a 140-hp advantage over the Lowe Sea Nymph 1256 2006's 10-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 Sea Nymph 1256 2006 caps at 3. 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 Sea Nymph 1256 2006 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 3 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
MakeLowe
MakeLowe
ModelFM185
ModelSea Nymph 1256
Model Year201
Model Year2006
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam95 in. (2.41 m)
Beam56 in. (1.42 m)
Beam - Meters2.41
Beam - Meters1.42
Beam - Inches95
Beam - Inches56
Weight - Detail1,210 lbs. (549 kg)
Weight - Detail104 lbs. (47 kg)
Weight - kg548.85
Weight - kg47.17
Weight - lbs.121
Weight - lbs.104
Width [transom] - DetailBottom Width: 83 in. (2.1 m)
Width [transom] - Detailnot available
Height - DetailBow Height: 41 in. (1.04 m)
Height - Detail27 in. (.69 m)
Height - Meters1.04
Height - Meters0.69
Height - Inches41
Height - Inches27
Height [transom]20 in. (0.5 m)
Height [transom]15 in. (.38 m)
Length - Feet18.25
Length - Feet12
Length overall - Detail18 ft. 3 in. (5.56 m)
Length overall - Detail12 ft. 1 in. (3.7 m)
Length overall - Meters5.56
Length overall - Meters3.68
Length overall - Inches219
Length overall - Inches145
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Meters3.7
Length - Inchesnot available
Length - Inches1
Body / Hull
Hull materialAluminum
Hull materialnot available
Hull thickness0.100 in. (2.5 mm)
Hull thickness.050 in. (.127 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 typeGas
Engine max150 hp (111 kW)
Engine max10 hp (7.5 kW)
Drive typenot available
Drive typeOutboard
Operational Info
Maximum capacity1,759 lbs. (798 kg)
Maximum capacity602 lbs. (273 kg)
Maximum people7 / 1,115 lbs. (798 kg)
Maximum people3
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

Lowe FM185 2010 vs Lowe Sea Nymph 1256 2006 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Lowe FM185 2010 or the Lowe Sea Nymph 1256 2006?
The Lowe FM185 2010 is the longer of the two at 18,3 feet overall. The Lowe Sea Nymph 1256 2006 comes in at 12,0 feet, making it roughly 6,3 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.
Which is easier to trailer — the Lowe FM185 2010 or the Lowe Sea Nymph 1256 2006?
For trailering, the Lowe Sea Nymph 1256 2006 has the edge at 104 lbs dry weight versus 121 lbs for the Lowe FM185 2010. Add a motor (typically 300–500 lbs for an outboard in this class), gear, and a partial fuel load and the difference grows. Lighter is friendlier on smaller tow vehicles and on fuel economy while hauling.
Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?
The Lowe FM185 2010 is rated to a maximum of 150 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Lowe Sea Nymph 1256 2006 tops out at 10 hp. Keep in mind that maximum ratings are just that — matching the motor to the actual load and usage pattern usually matters more than chasing the ceiling.
How many people can each boat hold?
The Lowe FM185 2010 is Coast Guard rated for 7 passengers, while the Lowe Sea Nymph 1256 2006 is certified for 3. Note that legal capacity and comfortable capacity aren't always the same thing — on a full day out, most experienced boaters aim for about 80% of the rated number to keep things comfortable.
Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?
The Lowe FM185 2010 measures 95" wide, compared to 56" for the Lowe Sea Nymph 1256 2006. The US standard-width towing limit is 8’6" (102") in most states — anything over that may need a wide-load permit. Confirm your specific route requirements with each state's DOT.
Are the Lowe FM185 2010 and Lowe Sea Nymph 1256 2006 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Lowe FM185 2010 and the Lowe Sea Nymph 1256 2006 are built by Lowe. That means shared dealer networks, common parts availability, and consistent build quality across the line. The choice between them is essentially a question of how much boat you need, not which brand you trust.