Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Lowe FM185 2011 vs Lowe L1448 Jon Boat 2007 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The Lowe FM185 2011 vs Lowe L1448 Jon Boat 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.
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Lowe FM185 2011 measures 18,3 feet overall (2011), giving it roughly 4,3 additional feet of deck space compared to the Lowe L1448 Jon Boat 2007 at 14,0 feet (2007). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Lowe L1448 Jon Boat 2007 tips the scales at 365 lbs — 244 lbs less than the Lowe FM185 2011 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 2011 has a 125-hp advantage over the Lowe L1448 Jon Boat 2007's 25-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 2011 is rated for 7 passengers, while the Lowe L1448 Jon Boat 2007 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 2011 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Lowe FM185 2011 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 L1448 Jon Boat 2007 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
ModelFM185
ModelL1448 Jon Boat
Model Year2011
Model Year2007
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam95 in. (2.41 m)
Beam70 in. (1.77 m)
Beam - Meters2.41
Beam - Meters1.78
Beam - Inches95
Beam - Inches7
Weight - Detail1,210 lbs. (549 kg)
Weight - Detail365 lbs. (166 kg)
Weight - kg548.85
Weight - kg165.56
Weight - lbs.121
Weight - lbs.365
Width [transom] - Detail83 in. (2.1 m) bottom
Width [transom] - Detail48 in. (1.2 m)
Height - Detail41 in. (1.04 m) bow
Height - Detailnot available
Height - Meters1.04
Height - Metersnot available
Height - Inches41
Height - Inchesnot available
Height [transom]25 in. (0.64 m)
Height [transom]15 in. (.38 m)
Length - Feet18.25
Length - Feet14
Length overall - Detail18 ft. 3 in. (5.56 m)
Length overall - Detail14 ft. 0 in. (4.27 m)
Length overall - Meters5.56
Length overall - Meters4.27
Length overall - Inches219
Length overall - Inches168
Depth - Detailnot available
Depth - Detail19 in. (.48 m)
Depth - Centimetersnot available
Depth - Centimeters48.26
Depth - Inchesnot available
Depth - Inches19
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Meters4.27
Body / Hull
Hull materialAluminum
Hull materialnot available
Hull thickness0.100 in. (2.5 mm)
Hull thickness.072 in. (.183 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
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeOutboard
Engine max150 hp (111 kW) 9.9 hp (7.5 kW) Kicker motor
Engine max25 hp (19 kW)
Operational Info
Maximum capacity1,759 lbs. (798 kg)
Maximum capacity825 lbs. (374 kg)
Maximum people7 / 1,115 lbs. (506 kg)
Maximum people4
Trailer Info
Trailer - DetailPainted bunk trailer
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