Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Lowe FM185 2011 vs Lowe L1648 2012 — Same Brand, Different Boat
Matching a deep vee Lowe FM185 2011 against a flat Lowe L1648 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.
On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Lowe FM185 2011 at 18,3 ft versus Lowe L1648 2012 at 15,8 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Lowe L1648 2012 tips the scales at 275 lbs — 154 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 115-hp advantage over the Lowe L1648 2012's 35-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 L1648 2012 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 L1648 2012 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 Year2011
Model Year2012
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam95 in. (2.41 m)
Beam70 in. (1.78 m)
Beam - Meters2.41
Beam - Meters1.78
Beam - Inches95
Beam - Inches7
Weight - Detail1,210 lbs. (549 kg)
Weight - Detail275 lbs. (125 kg)
Weight - kg548.85
Weight - kg124.74
Weight - lbs.121
Weight - lbs.275
Width [transom] - Detail83 in. (2.1 m) bottom
Width [transom] - Detail48 in. (1.2 m) bottom
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. (0.38 m)
Length - Feet18.25
Length - Feet15.75
Length overall - Detail18 ft. 3 in. (5.56 m)
Length overall - Detail15 ft. 9 in. (4.8 m)
Length overall - Meters5.56
Length overall - Meters4.8
Length overall - Inches219
Length overall - Inches189
Depth - Detailnot available
Depth - Detail21 in. (0.53 m)
Depth - Centimetersnot available
Depth - Centimeters53.34
Depth - Inchesnot available
Depth - Inches21
Body / Hull
Hull materialAluminum
Hull materialAluminum
Hull thickness0.100 in. (2.5 mm)
Hull thickness0.072 in. (1.83 mm)
Hull typeDeep Vee
Hull typeFlat
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 max35 hp (26 kW)
Operational Info
Maximum capacity1,759 lbs. (798 kg)
Maximum capacity973 lbs. (441 kg)
Maximum people7 / 1,115 lbs. (506 kg)
Maximum people4 / 555 lbs. (252 kg)
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